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President Biden’s dog ‘bit staff 24 times in one year’

Feb 22

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Newly released Secret Service records have unveiled that President Joe Biden’s German shepherd, Commander, was involved in at least 24 biting incidents over the past year, more than what was initially reported. The disclosure, which includes 269 pages of related emails, sheds light on the severity and frequency of these incidents.

The emails document the concern among Secret Service agents, with at least 11 of these incidents necessitating medical attention. The situation has highlighted the challenges faced by security personnel in managing the First Family’s pet within the confines of the White House.

The document, heavily redacted to safeguard Secret Service agents’ identities and security methods, was released following a Freedom of Information Act request by John Greenewald, a California researcher known for uncovering government secrets.

The documents might not capture all of Commander’s biting incidents, as they only account for those involving the Secret Service, excluding other White House workers or Camp David staff.

FILE - President Joe Biden's dog Commander looks out from the balcony during a pardoning ceremony for the national Thanksgiving turkeys at the White House in Washington, Nov. 21, 2022. Secret Service records show that President Joe Biden's dog Commander has bitten its officers stationed at the White House 10 times between October 2022 and January. At least one biting incident required a trip to the hospital for the injured officer. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
Associated Press

Commander, a gift to Biden from his brother James in December 2021, had to be removed from the White House premises in October. The decision came after one particularly severe incident where a Secret Service agent was bitten and required medical treatment. The 2-year-old German shepherd’s behavior has sparked discussions about pet management and safety protocols within the presidential residence.

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[KARAH RUCKER]

NEWLY DISCLOSED SECRET SERVICE RECORDS REVEAL PRESIDENT BIDEN’S GERMAN SHEPHERD, COMMANDER, WAS INVOLVED IN MORE BITING INCIDENTS THAN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED, IDENTIFYING AT LEAST 24 CASES IN LESS THAN A YEAR. THIS DISCLOSURE INCLUDES 269 PAGES OF RELATED EMAILS.

THE EMAILS HIGHLIGHT THE EXTENT OF THE INCIDENTS AND THE CONCERN AMONG SECRET SERVICE AGENTS. AT LEAST 11 CASES REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION.

COMMANDER WAS A GIFT TO BIDEN IN DECEMBER 2021 FROM HIS BROTHER JAMES. THE TWO YEAR OLD SHEPHERD WAS REMOVED FROM THE WHITE HOUSE IN OCTOBER AFTER A SECRET SERVICE AGENT REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR A SEVERE BITE.