President Joe Biden's dog bit a U.S. Secret Service agent at least 20 times, new documents obtained by CNN reveal.
Commander Biden, a two-year-old German shepherd, was removed from the White House in October after the dog reportedly bit the dog 11 times. The dog had bitten Secret Service personnel at least 24 times, in addition to previously reported bite incidents involving White House staff. according to Documents obtained by CNN through the Freedom of Information Act.
Because of the biting incident, Secret Service agents took various precautions to avoid the dog and ensure their safety, according to documents obtained by CNN.
In a June 2023 email obtained by CNN, the USSS' assistant special agent in charge of the presidential protection division said, “Due to recent dog bites, we will adjust our operational tactics when the commander is present. “There is a need. Please give us sufficient leeway,” he reportedly wrote to the team. . The official went on to tell others, “We have to get creative to ensure our own safety.”
CNN reported that the dog bit Secret Service agents at the White House, Camp David, Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Nantucket, Massachusetts.
U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, accompanied by their new dog Commander, speak virtually with military personnel from the South Court Auditorium of the White House in Washington, D.C., to thank military service and wish them a Merry Christmas. do. December 25, 2021. (Photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP) (Photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP, Getty Images)
CNN reports that one incident details a time when the commander was off-leash while in Rehoboth, Delaware.
“In the background SA [redacted] FLOTUS I heard the voice of someone who appeared to be Dr. Jill Biden. [redacted] shout [redacted quote].The commander ran towards the post. [redacted] Booth and Bit SA [redacted in the left forearm. Causing a severe deep open wound. As result of the attack SA [redacted] began to lose (sic) a significant amount of blood from [redacted] arm,” documents obtained by CNN show. Agents received six stitches at the scene, CNN reported.
According to CNN, another incident occurred while Biden was in attendance.
“The commander and the president were entering the Palm Room through the West Colonnade. The commander came back first and grabbed my left arm. Then he stood up and went back down again. He literally grabbed my left arm. As tall as he is. POTUS was following behind him, so he quickly entered. The President entered the Palm Room and said: [redacted]CNN reported that investigators said in their description of the incident that they were “shocked that this incident occurred.”
Is Biden too stupid?
Commander, a 2-year-old German Shepherd, was banned from the White House after 11 bite incidents were reported.
Dog trainers said the behavioral problems showed a lack of leadership. @DailyCaller.
Click here for details:https://t.co/3SGuy1xIaS
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) October 6, 2023
After the commander was ousted from the White House, dog trainers told the Daily Caller that some of the German shepherds' behavior can be attributed to a lack of leadership and direction from their owners. The trainers added that Biden is the only one who can control the dog. (Related: Biden too beta? Dog trainers say biting shows lack of leadership)
“Probably a lot of it, I say. [the dog] There's probably some lack of direction and maybe some lack of good leadership, but given the environment he's in, I can't see how that would help this individual dog be successful. No,” David Tirpak of Miracle K9 Training previously said. The person who called. He added that German shepherds are exposed to additional stress when they are controlled by someone who is not their natural person, such as the owner with whom they initially bonded.
Biden's other German shepherd, Major Biden, was removed from the White House ahead of his commander in 2021 after biting two people within a month, The Washington Post reported.
“President Biden has to be the one to take control of the dogs,” Tom Davis of Upstate Canine Academy told the Caller. “Not only is it his responsibility, but he's the one with the best shot.” [at controlling the dog]. I mean, we all know that when you get a dog, it becomes your best friend. ”
A source close to the Biden family told CNN that the Biden family regrets the biting incident and is “heartbroken.”
“They are heartbroken over this. They have apologized to the people who were bitten and sent some flowers. They feel terrible. The commander was overprotective, so they tried to do something about it. “Despite our efforts, we had to move the commander to live with other family members,” the source said.
After multiple biting incidents, White House officials were told the commander “should not be out alone,” an agent said, CNN reported.
“The President and the First Lady care deeply about the safety of those who work in the White House and those who protect them every day. We are committed to providing additional dog training, leashes, working with veterinarians, and consulting with animal behaviorists. Nevertheless, the White House environment proved too much for the commander. Since the fall, he has been living with other family members,” said Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for First Lady Jill Biden. said in a statement to CNN.
