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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Sami Quadri

Joe Biden’s dog Commander bit Secret Service Agents 24 times with one requiring stitches

President Joe Biden’s dog Commander bit US Secret Service agents on at least 24 occasions, documents show.

The two-year-old German Shepherd sank its teeth into a number of officers at the White House or the Biden family home since October 2022.

The disclosure comes after the dog was exiled from the White House last October and sent to an undisclosed location.

A freedom of information request submitted by CNN has revealed the full scope of the pet’s misbehaviour.

The news outlet obtained numerous documents which revealed that the dog's actions were raising concerns among Secret Service members tasked with safeguarding the President of the United States.

“The recent dog bites have challenged us to adjust our operational tactics when Commander is present – please give lots of room,” one email read.

Agents were told to be “creative to ensure our own personal safety”.

The documents show that there were at least 24 biting incidents from October 2022 to July 2023, involving Secret Service members who suffered bites to the wrist, forearm, elbow, waist, chest, thigh, and shoulder.

Last June, an agent needed stitches after suffering a “deep bite” on their forearm.

One report states that blood on the floor of a White House area caused officials to suspend East Wing tours for 20 minutes.

In July, a dog bite on the hand left another agent needing six stitches. An email revealed the bite resulted in a "severe deep open wound" and led to the agent losing a significant amount of blood.

Colleagues provided the injured agent with a "small care package" as a gift, which included painkillers, antibiotic ointment, pepper spray, a muzzle, and dog biscuits for safety measures.

Mr Biden restored a long tradition of having pets in the White House, with his dog Champ joined by Major and a cat when he took office in January 2021.

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