US President Biden's dog Commander relocated from White House after biting incidents

Washington, October 5: Commander, two-year-old German Shepherd belonging to US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, has been relocated from the White House following multiple biting incidents involving staff members, according to a White House spokesperson. The exact whereabouts of Commander were not disclosed, and the Bidens are considering their "next steps" regarding the dog.

This development follows reports from CNN and Axios highlighting Commander's biting incidents. While the Secret Service had initially reported 11 of its agents being bitten, CNN revealed that the actual number of victims was higher, and the dog had also bitten other White House personnel.

Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for Jill Biden, emphasised the Bidens' concern for the safety of White House staff and their gratitude for the support of the US Secret Service. She stated, "Commander is not currently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated."

The specific details of Commander's new location and whether the move is permanent remain undisclosed. The last sighting of Commander at the White House was on September 30 when photographers spotted him on the Truman balcony of the president's private quarters.

The Bidens had previously attributed their pets' behaviour, including Commander's, to the "stressful" environment of the White House. Notably, another German Shepherd, Major, was previously relocated to live with family friends in Delaware due to biting incidents.

The Bidens introduced Commander with enthusiasm in December 2021, sharing a photo of the puppy holding a tennis ball in its mouth on Twitter, with President Biden welcoming him to the White House.