President Joe Biden's German shepherd named Commander not only attacked administration workers but also repeatedly bit Secret Service agents guarding the president's family. This was reported by CNN, citing internal reports.
Documents available to the network contain a summary table with data on dog attacks in 2022–2023. It details the locations and circumstances under which Commander bit agents.
At least 24 incidents have been officially recorded, prompting staff to reconsider their actions. In June 2023, one of the unit leaders recommended that agents increase their distance from the president when the dog is nearby to avoid provocations.
Commander’s attacks were classified as workplace injuries and documented according to the guidelines of the Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The most serious case described in the reports occurred at the Rehoboth Beach residence in Delaware. Approaching the security post in the backyard, an agent heard Commander begin to bark but did not realize that the dog was not on a leash. The dog bit him on the left forearm. First aid was administered to the agent, who lost a lot of blood, at the White House medical unit: he received six stitches and was prescribed antibiotics.
The network also reminded that the president's team was previously concerned about another pet—a German shepherd named Major. In 2021, this dog bit one of the Secret Service agents, after which he was sent to live permanently in Delaware. The then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki only noted that Major had injured an unnamed person. The documents describe this incident in more detail: the agent reported that Major came around the corner of the diplomatic reception room in the White House and attacked a person without apparent reason, tearing his coat.
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