Commander, the Biden family's two-year-old German Shepherd, has bitten yet another Secret Service agent. The attack happened on Monday night and the officer was treated at the scene, the Secret Service said in a statement on Tuesday. This is the 11th time the dog has bitten a guard at the White House or the Biden family home. The White House press secretary has previously blamed the attacks on the stress of living at the White House.

"As you all know, the White House complex can be unique and very stressful. That is something I'm sure you can all understand," she said in July. "It is unique and it is stressful for all of us. So you can imagine what it's like for a family pet or family pets, more broadly." Commander is the younger of the Biden family's two German Shepherds. The other biting incidents occurred at the president and first lady's home in Delaware. "Yesterday around 8pm, a Secret Service Uniformed Division police officer came in contact with a First Family pet and was bitten," said Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

He later told CNN that the injured officer spoke to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Tuesday and is doing OK. In July, White House officials said they were attempting new leashing and training techniques on Commander, following a rash of attacks on personnel. Secret Service records obtained by a conservative group through a Freedom of Information Act request in July reveal details of the 10 other biting incidents involving Commander. One incident happened on 26 October 2022 after First Lady Jill Biden was unable to keep Commander under control, an email says. Commander "came charging at me", the agent wrote in the email. The officer added: "I believe it's only a matter of time before an agent/officer is attacked or bit."

About a week later another officer wrote that he was bitten twice. Another officer that witnessed the attack said they were forced to use a "steel cart to shield" themselves from the attacking dog. On 11 December 2022, an agent was attacked in front of Mr Biden and was bitten on the forearm and thumb. Mr Biden "was present and convened in the very quick interaction of Commander and seemed concerned about" the injured officer, a supervising agent wrote. None of the injuries described in the 194 pages of emails were described as serious. The other Biden dog, Major, has also been involved in numerous biting incidents with Secret Service agents. He has since been moved out of the White House and now lives with Biden family friends. Commander arrived at the White House in 2021 as a puppy. He was a gift from Mr. Biden's brother James. The First Family also have a cat named Willow.

highdesert wrote: Wed Sep 27, 2023 11:34 am My thing is that Secret Service agents already have a big job protecting the first family, they shouldn't have to put up with pets biting them. That applies to Democratic or Republican presidents' pets. Animals become very protective, we had one who attached himself to my mother and he didn't like men. The West Wing is a small area packed with aides and SS agents, not a place for every animal.

sikacz wrote: Wed Sep 27, 2023 11:20 am Personally giving animals names like “commander” and “major” frames a lot about an owner. In my view, it’s negative.

sikacz wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 11:24 am That’s always a tough call. The biden’s will have security for the remainder of their lives if tradition holds. They won’t be needing dogs for protection. They’re better off with hamsters, gold fish or a bird. All are easily contained and won’t endanger anyone.

highdesert wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 11:49 am

sikacz wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 11:24 am That’s always a tough call. The biden’s will have security for the remainder of their lives if tradition holds. They won’t be needing dogs for protection. They’re better off with hamsters, gold fish or a bird. All are easily contained and won’t endanger anyone.

Yup, they won't need guard dogs so it's just a family pet who will be around a lot of different people. If I was in their place and wanted a dog, it would be a Labrador Retriever or a Golden Retriever, breeds that are good around people.

Mikeinmich wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 12:10 pm “80 pound fur missile”. I love it. I’ve got a 70 pound fur missile without a working guidance system. Lol

I’d opt for a lab were I him. The only risks of injury are getting bowled over by a giant goofball or getting knocked down the stairs by a frantically waiving club of a tail.

NonServiam wrote: Thu Sep 28, 2023 5:29 pm Maybe there's a reason the dog decided to bite. Maybe it perceived a threat. Has anyone considered that possibility?