Joshua Roberts/Reuters
In this March 2022 photograph, Commander, the canine of President Joe Biden, is taken for a walk on the White House in Washington, DC.
CNN
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President Joe Biden’s younger canine, Commander, bit one other US Secret Service agent on the White House Monday night, CNN has discovered, the eleventh identified biting incident involving the 2-year-old German Shepherd.
“Yesterday around 8 p.m., a Secret Service Uniformed Division police officer came in contact with a First Family pet and was bitten. The officer was treated by medical personnel on complex,” USSS chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi instructed CNN in a press release.
The injured officer spoke with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Tuesday and is doing OK, Guglielmi mentioned.
Commander has been concerned in no less than 11 biting incidents on the White House and in Delaware, based on CNN reporting and US Secret Service e mail correspondence, together with a November 2022 incident the place an officer was hospitalized after the canine clamped down on their arms and thighs.
White House officers said in July that the Bidens had been working by way of new coaching and leashing protocols for the household pet following the incidents.
Asked by CNN whether or not the brand new coaching had taken place or if any additional motion can be sought, Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for the primary girl, mentioned in a press release that “the First Family continues to work on ways to help Commander handle the often unpredictable nature of the White House grounds.”
“The President and First Lady are incredibly grateful to the Secret Service and Executive Residence staff for all they do to keep them, their family, and the country safe,” she continued.
Another of Biden’s dogs, Major, was involved in biting incidents on the White House. The German Shepherd later moved out of the White House, and Commander arrived at the White House in 2021.
The July e mail correspondence, obtained by way of Freedom of Information Act requests by the conservative group Judicial Watch, mirrored 10 incidents.
In one incident in October, first girl Dr. Jill Biden “couldn’t regain control” of the canine because it charged a member of Secret Service employees.
“I believe it’s only a matter of time before an agent/officer is attacked or bit,” the employees member warned in an e mail.
While Secret Service brokers are usually not liable for the dealing with of the primary household’s pets, they will come into frequent contact with the animals.
“This isn’t a Secret Service thing. This is a this is a workplace safety issue,” CNN contributor and former USSS agent Jonathan Wackrow instructed CNN.
“There’s uniqueness here where it’s the residence of the president of the United States, but it’s also the workplace for hundreds, thousands of people. And you can’t bring a hazard into the workplace. And that’s what is essentially happening with this dog. One time you can say it’s an accident, but now multiple incidents, it’s a serious issue,” he added.
Wackrow referred to as it a “significant hazard” for brokers on responsibility on the White House residence.
“I’m sure that the Bidens love the dog. I’m sure that it’s a member of the family like every dog is, but you’re creating a significant hazard to those who support you – support the office of the president,” he mentioned.
This story has been up to date with a press release from the primary girl’s communications director.
