In a recent incident at the White House, a uniformed division officer was bitten by Commander, President Biden’s German Shepherd. The officer received on-site medical treatment and is reported to be recovering well. This is not the first time Commander has exhibited aggressive behavior towards Secret Service personnel, with at least 10 other incidents recorded between October 2022 and January 2023. As a result, the first family is actively working to find ways to manage Commander’s unpredictable nature on the White House grounds.
First Lady Jill Biden’s communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and Executive Residence staff for their efforts in keeping the family and the country safe. It is acknowledged that the White House can be a stressful environment for family pets, leading to such incidents. This is the second instance of a biting incident involving one of the Biden’s German Shepherds, as Major, their first dog, was sent to live with friends in Delaware after displaying aggressive behavior towards Secret Service personnel and White House staff.
The Secret Service plays a crucial role in providing security for the president and his family, with numerous officers stationed around the executive mansion and its extensive grounds. Commander was gifted to President Biden in December 2021 by his brother James. In addition to Commander, the Biden family also owns a cat named Willow.
