Photo:MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty
PresidentJoe Biden’s dogCommanderis not currently living at the White House.
First LadyDr. Jill Biden’s communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, shared a statement with PEOPLE on Thursday revealing that the 2-year-old purebred German shepherd is residing elsewhere as “next steps are evaluated.”
“The President and First Lady care deeply about the safety of those who work at the White House and those who protect them every day," the statement read. “They remain grateful for the patience and support of the U.S. Secret Service and all involved, as they continue to work through solutions.”
“Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated,” the statement continued.While Commander is not currently on White House premises, that does not mean he has been rehomed.The canine’s removal from the White House comes after an alleged incident of Commander biting a Secret Service officer late last month,per CNN. This followed emails that surfaced in July detailing that the U.S. Secret Service had raised concerns around the canine over an alleged 10 separate biting incidents, according to a separate reportfrom CNN.
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and First Lady Jill Biden pet their German Shepherd “Commander” while meeting virtually with United States service members serving around the world in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Dec. 25, 2021.Michael Reynolds/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty
Michael Reynolds/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty
Alexander shared a statement with PEOPLE in July which said that the Biden family, the Secret Service, and the Executive Residence staff were working together on additional “training” for Commander.
“The White House complex is a unique and often stressful environment for family pets, and the First Family is working through ways to make this situation better for everyone,” the statement read. “They have been partnering with the Secret Service and Executive Residence staff on additional leashing protocols and training, as well as establishing designated areas for Commander to run and exercise.”
However, on Sept. 25,the canine bit a Secret Service officer again, which became the 11th known instance of Commander biting a Secret Service officer.
Incidents referred to in the emails included one in November 2022 when a Secret Service officer went to a hospital to be treated for injuries after Commander reportedly bit the officer’s arm and thighs. Another incident allegedly occured just a month prior and involved the first lady, who reportedly “couldn’t regain control” of the dog when he charged a Secret Service staffer.
Per CNN, the staffer wrote in an email that: “I believe it’s only a matter of time before an agent/officer is attacked or bit.” The emails also stated that additional biting incidents reportedly occurred when Commander was unleashed and walking around the White House grounds.
Anthony Guglielmi, USSS chief of communications, said in a statementto CNN at the timethat the Secret Service was “aware” of the incidents involving the Biden family pets and said they “were treated similarly to comparable workplace injuries.” He added that the Secret Service does not care for or handle the first family’s pets.
Biden, 80, firstintroduced Commander to the worldin December 2021, tweeting, “Welcome to the White House, Commander” alongsidea photothat showed the puppy with a tennis ball in his mouth as he ran across the grass. He joined the family after their previous German Shepherd, Champ,died in June 2021.
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The Biden family previously had a dog named Major, who wasadopted from the Delaware Humane Associationin 2018. He left the White House toundergo training afterseveral “biting incidents” at the White House and it was ultimately decided thathe would not return.
“After consulting with dog trainers, animal behaviorists, and veterinarians, the First Family has decided to follow the experts' collective recommendation that it would be safest for Major to live in a quieter environment with family friends,” Michael LaRosa, a spokesman for the first lady at the time, told PEOPLE in December, 2021. “This is not in reaction to any new or specific incident, but rather a decision reached after several months of deliberation as a family and discussions with experts.”
source: people.com
