Commander, the beloved dog of President Joe Biden, is currently not present on the White House campus.
This decision comes in the wake of a series of biting incidents involving White House staff and US Secret Service officers.
Biden's Dog Commander Bites Again
A spokesperson for First Lady Jill Biden shared this information late Wednesday, shedding light on the situation surrounding Commander's absence.
According to Elizabeth Alexander, the communications director for the First Lady, President Biden and his wife hold a profound concern for the well-being of White House staff and the individuals responsible for their protection on a daily basis.
In an emailed statement, she expressed gratitude towards the US Secret Service and all individuals involved, acknowledging their patience and support. She further mentioned that Commander is currently not on the White House campus, as they assess the next course of action.
The whereabouts of the 2-year-old German shepherd, whose destination was not disclosed by Alexander, remain unknown.
In a recent development, the statement was issued just hours after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned during her briefing on Wednesday regarding yet another allegation involving Commander, who allegedly bit a White House staffer.
Jean-Pierre deferred inquiries to the office of the first lady, who stated that Commander and Dale Haney, the head groundskeeper at the White House, were engaged in a playful activity. The office further clarified that no injuries were sustained during the incident, which was captured by a tourist and subsequently shared with a news organization. The news organization then proceeded to publish the photograph on its online platform, as per NBC New York.
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Where is Biden's Dog?
According to sources within the White House, responsibility for the incident has been attributed to the president's protectors.
However, these same sources have also asserted that Commander, who is known for being friendly, is highly regarded by all. It is worth noting that the victim in this particular case was not a member of the president's security detail, but rather a groundskeeper.
According to the witness, they stated, "Perhaps it was intended as a playful nip, but it is noteworthy that a dog of such size would exhibit such behavior."
In November 2022, a commanding officer found themselves in a grave situation when they were attacked by Commander, resulting in hospitalization. The animal reportedly clamped down on their arms and thighs, causing serious injuries.
According to a recent report, a conservative group known as Judicial Watch has obtained a series of emails through a Freedom of Information Act request. These emails shed light on a concerning incident, which appears to be one of ten similar occurrences that transpired within a span of four months.
A month following a warning from staff about the potential danger of an attack, First Lady Jill Biden found herself unable to regain control of an animal that charged towards a member of the Secret Service. In an email sent in October 2022, a staff member issued a warning, stating, "I believe it's only a matter of time before an agent/officer is attacked or bit."
According to White House officials, the Bidens were reported to be working on implementing new training and leashing protocols for their family pet in July.
In a statement made last week, Elizabeth Alexander, the communications director for the first lady, addressed the ongoing efforts of the First Family to assist Commander in navigating the frequently unpredictable environment of the White House grounds.
In a series of aggressive incidents, including biting Secret Service and National Park Service employees, Major, the older dog belonging to the First Family, has been removed from the White House. The five-year-old German Shepherd was originally rescued from a shelter in Delaware.
In a decision that made headlines, the Bidens made the choice to relocate their dog, Major, to the care of friends in Delaware. They described Major as a "sweet dog" by nature and attributed his aggression to the "stress" of residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
In a heartwarming gesture, Commander, a special birthday gift from James and Sara Biden, the president's brother and sister-in-law, made its grand entrance into the White House on December 20, 2021.
In an interview, Jonathan Wackrow, a former USSS agent, expressed his concerns about the dog's biting spree, referring to it as a 'significant hazard' that requires immediate attention. Per Daily Mail, Wackrow highlighted the distinctiveness of the location, emphasizing that it serves as both the official residence of the President of the United States and a bustling workplace for numerous individuals.
