WASHINGTON (TND) — Secret Service agents were bit by the first family’s dog in at least 24 incidents at the White House and elsewhere before the dog was taken out of the family residence, according to internal documents posted online.
Issues with President Joe Biden’s dog, Commander, had become public already and eventually led to the dog being removed from the White House. But the documents showed the Secret Service had to adjust its tactics to protect the president and his family after multiple biting incidents that caused injuries needing medical attention and spilling blood on the White House floor.
The documents, posted by researcher John Greenwald on his website The Black Vault, included 24 incidents at the White House, Camp David and the Bidens’ homes in Delaware spanning from October 2022 and July of 2023.
Secret Service agents shared tips with each other to avoid getting hurt in emails included in the documents, which also showed the agency had to change its operational tactics when it came to providing security for the first family while agents were also under threat of being bit by Commander.
“The recent dog bites have challenged us to adjust our operational tactics when Commander is present — please give lots of room (staying a terrain feature away if possible). We will continue to keep (redacted) in our sight but must be creative to ensure our own personal safety,” an assistant special agent in charge wrote in an email included in the documents. “The senior leaders of the detail and agency continue to address the issue at higher levels with staff and First Family — working to have a better solution soon.”
The incidents included in the documents do not include every known issue with Commander’s time in the White House, which have also been brought up during press briefings. The documents show that the family was aware of many of the issues and was working with Secret Security to address the problem.
But the White House said in a statement that the additional training measures and other specialists were unable to help.
“The president and first lady care deeply about the safety of those who work at the White House and those who protect them every day. Despite additional dog training, leashing, working with veterinarians, and consulting with animal behaviorists, the White House environment simply proved too much for Commander. Since the fall, he has lived with other family members,” Elizabeth Alexander, first lady Jill Biden’s communications director, said in a statement to CNN.
Emails also showed concerns among agents that past incidents involving Commander stoked fears about something more serious happening.
An agent was bitten on the forearm while holding the door open for the president going between the West Wing and family residence on Oct. 2, 2022. A report said Commander grabbed the agent’s left arm and stood on his hind legs while unleashed.
“POTUS entered shortly after since he was trailing behind him. POTUS entered the Palm Room and said (redacted),” the report said, adding they were “concerned about him getting out of the residence or being out without a leash for others safety and mine.”
Days later, a technician wrote that after reporting an incident of Commander jumping them and having their arm “mouthed,” they told a supervisor they were “worried something worse was going to happen to others.”
In November of 2022, an officer suffered a serious injury to their arm and quad that required a trip to the hospital for treatment. Other notable incidents included in the report included an agent losing a “significant amount of blood” and East Wing tours needed to be stopped for 20 minutes because blood got on the floor after an agent was bit.
In May of 2023, a technician wrote that “it seems that we’re back to the K9 being let off leash to roam the grounds freely.” An email said that the dog was let out during a security sweep and he “bounced between us techs.” According to the documents, a special agent said that White House staff had been advised that Commander “should not be out on its own” that month.
“Though no one was bitten it’s just a matter of time before it happens,” the technician said.
Later that month, a Secret Service agent gave colleagues advice on how to avoid getting bit after an incident at Camp David.
“Standing tall and yelling his name and ‘stop’ is your best bet to not get bit,” the agent said.
The incidents, injuries and close calls piled up enough that a special agent in charge sent out an email to the presidential detail asking for them to report if they had been bit.
Commander was eventually sent to live with other family members in the fall of 2023. He was the second Biden family dog who had to be sent away from the White House. Major, another German shepherd also bit Secret Service and White House staff.
