WASHINGTON, DC: The internet has been standing firm in support of President Joe Biden's younger dog Commander, who has been removed from the White House following a series of biting incidents involving the staff and US Secret Service officers.
Elizabeth Alexander, a spokesperson for First Lady Jill Biden, announced on Wednesday, October 4 that Commander, a 2-year-old purebred German shepherd "is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated.”
"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," Alexander said in a statement, as per CBS News.
"They remain grateful for the patience and support of the US Secret Service and all involved, as they continue to work through solutions,” he continued.
However, Alexander did not provide any information regarding where the Commander was sent or whether he was expected to return.
Alexander’s announcement came after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was pressed on a fresh allegation that Commander had bitten a White House staffer.
Jean-Pierre directed inquiries to the first lady's office, which stated that Commander and Dale Haney, the White House's head groundskeeper, were playing and that no one's skin was injured in the incident.
When asked if she ever had a troubling encounter with Commander, the press secretary said, "No, not at all. I've been around Commander many times, and I was never wary, and I've never been bit by Commander."
During the press briefing on Wednesday, she gave little ground and refused to reveal the location of the Commander's housing, instead reading from a prepared statement that made no mention of the precise timing of the animal's relocation or what caused it.
Commander’s biting history
Commander’s removal came just days after he attacked a Secret Service agent in the 11th known biting incident since he arrived at the White House as a puppy in 2021.
Before the vicious attack on September 25, internal emails obtained by a conservative watchdog group and released to the public this summer revealed 10 instances of “aggressive behavior” by the Commander, who was gifted by the President's brother James Biden, and sister-in-law Sara Biden.
In one instance, a Secret Service agent had to be treated at a hospital and a redacted email said the person had to use a "steel cart to shield" themselves from a second attack.
One of the attacks took place on October 26, 2022, after Jill failed to keep Commander under control.
"While posted Commander came charging at me," an agent wrote in the email, adding that the First Lady "couldn't regain control of Commander and he continued to circle me. I believe it's only a matter of time before an agent/officer is attacked or bit."
Authorities announced in July that they were working on additional leashing guidelines and training, as well as designating spaces for commanders to run and exercise.
“This isn’t a Secret Service thing. This is a workplace safety issue,” former USSS agent Jonathan Wackrow told CNN, adding, “There’s uniqueness here where it’s the residence of the president of the United States, but it’s also the workplace for hundreds, thousands of people.”
Internet worried for Commander after removal from White House
Commander’s removal from the White House has worried users on the internet, with some slamming Biden for raising him in "bad energy".
“Honestly, makes me wonder why every dog that man owns ends up biting people I think he has bad energy and it stresses them out,” one user said.
“I hope Commander finally gets the training and structure he needs and deserves and no more German Shepards for JB,” a second user wrote.
“Poor pup should have been removed before. He obviously suffered from anxiety,” the third fumed, while the fourth asserted, “They removed the wrong Commander.”
“Maybe just stop using animals as props. It’s beyond cruel for an elderly couple to get a German Shepherd puppy with no intent to provide it training, consistency, and attention and put it in an unstable environment,” another one said.
