When word first emerged in 2021 that a German shepherd owned by President Biden and his wife was biting people at the White House, aides downplayed the incidents — even though the dog was quickly evicted from the first family’s home.
Now it turns out the shepherd, Commander, was involved in at least 24 reported biting incidents, the Daily Mail reports. The situation got so serious that the chomping led to operational changes by the Secret Service when the dog was nearby.
“Commander was overprotective, and despite efforts to address his behavior, the decision was made for him to stay with different members of the Biden family,” one source told the Mail.
The incidents occurred at the White House, the Bidens’ homes in Delaware, during a vacation in Nantucket and at Camp David. Records indicated that on multiple occasions, individuals required medical attention for injuries to arms, hands, legs and waists.
John Greenewald, creator of the archive Black Vault, published records on X that Commander’s aggressive behavior escalated in October 2022, leading to a Secret Service technician expressing fears of worsening incidents. This prompted an assistant special agent in charge to advise colleagues to keep a safe distance when Commander was present.
The adjustments to Secret Service operations and the eventual removal of Commander from the White House reflect worries for staff safety. Before the incidents, the Biden family also had to say farewell to their other two German shepherds, Major and Champ, due to behavioral issues and old age, respectively.
The administration and first lady Jill Biden‘s spokeswoman, Elizabeth Alexander, have expressed concern for the safety of White House workers and Secret Service agents, blaming the strenuous environment’s possible effects for Commander’s behavior. Despite interventions and training, the situation necessitated a change of residence for the dog.
Last year, photos showed Commander biting Dale Haney, superintendent of the White House grounds. Another incident in November 2022 made headlines when a Secret Service officer required hospitalization after being bitten.
A Secret Service technician in October 2022 said he was “worried about the family pet’s behavior escalating and that … something worse was going to happen to others.”
An individual with knowledge of the family’s situation informed DailyMail.com that Mr. and Mrs. Biden are “heartbroken” and have personally apologized to those affected, even offering flowers to some as a gesture of goodwill.
• Washington Times Staff can be reached at 202-636-3000.