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US President Joe Biden with German Shepherd “Commander” in the White House: “Get creative” to ensure your own safety
Photo: Adam Schultz / White House / ZUMA Wire / IMAGO
The Secret Service is entrusted with the security of the US President.
But in the case of the current head of state, there appears to be a senior security official.
According to a report by the US broadcaster CNN, "Commander", US President Joe Biden's German Shepherd, has attacked the Secret Service team several times when they got too close to Biden.
The German Shepherd is said to have bitten in at least 24 cases.
This is based on documents that CNN was able to see.
The attacks are so frequent that the Secret Service is said to have revised its protection protocols.
CNN quotes an email from an agent who described how "recent dog bites challenge us to adjust our tactical operations once 'Commander' is present."
The agents would have to “get creative” to ensure their own safety.
In other words: They have to figure out how close they can get to Biden and offer him protection without being bitten by the dog at the same time.
The Bidens are “heartbroken”
A source in the White House told the US broadcaster that the Bidens felt “bad” and “heartbroken” about the attacks.
The 24 cases are said to be attacks in the White House, but also in Biden's private homes in Rehoboth Beach and Wilmington in the US state of Delaware as well as in Nantucket in Massachusetts, where the Biden family is spending Thanksgiving.
“Commander” came to the Biden family as a puppy in December 2021.
Since the beginning, he has exhibited “extremely aggressive behavior,” according to another email from the White House.
A spokeswoman confirmed that the dog has not lived in the White House since last fall.
In the spring of 2021, another German Shepherd in the family, “Major”, had to go.
He was also fond of biting and has been living in the family estate in Delaware ever since.
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