From a story on cnn.com by Betsy Klein headlined “Commander Biden bites another Secret Service agent, the 11th known incident”:
President Joe Biden’s younger dog, Commander, bit another US Secret Service agent at the White House, CNN has learned, the 11th known 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 said.
The injured officer spoke with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Tuesday and is doing OK, Guglielmi said.
Commander has been involved in at least 11 biting incidents at the White House and in Delaware, according to US Secret Service email correspondence, including a November 2022 incident where an officer was hospitalized after the dog clamped down on their arms and thighs.
White House officials said in July that the Bidens were working through new training and leashing protocols for the family pet following the incidents.
Another of Biden’s dogs, Major, was involved in biting incidents at the White House. The German Shepherd later moved out of the White House, and Commander arrived at the White House in 2021.
In one incident in October, first lady Dr. Jill Biden “couldn’t regain control” of the dog as it charged a member of Secret Service staff.
“I believe it’s only a matter of time before an agent/officer is attacked or bit,” the staff member warned.
Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for the first lady, said at the time that the first family has 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.”
While Secret Service agents are not responsible for the handling of the first family’s pets, they can come into frequent contact with the animals.
“This isn’t a Secret Service thing. This is a this is a workplace safety issue,” former USSS agent Jonathan Wackrow told 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 called it a “significant hazard” for agents on duty at 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 said.
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