Dog Controversy at the Center of US Power

Having a pet is a family tradition for US Presidents. Some pets are embroiled in controversy.

WHITE HOUSE/AFP

Commander, United States President Joe Biden's pet German shepherd.

Dogs have long been family pets, including for presidents and vice president of the United States. The story surrounding the dog at the center of power sparked controversy.

The latest debate was brought forth by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. As reported by Associated Press on Saturday (April 27, 2024), one of the potential Republican vice presidential candidates admitted to killing a dog. The confession was included in Noem's upcoming book.

Also read: Biden's Dog "Retired" from White House

British media outlet The Guardianobtained a copy of the book. Noem wrote about Cricket, a dog trained as a hunting companion animal. One day, Cricket was invited to hunt birds with another older dog.

It turns out that Cricket, who was 14 months old at the time, was busy playing with a bird. The behavior was allowed, and Noem also let Cricket be. When they returned from hunting, Cricket misbehaved again. The dog chased a chicken and bit Noem. This behavior made Noem angry and prompted him to shoot Cricket.

AP/JEFF DEAN

Former US President Donald Trump and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (right) at a campaign rally in Ohio in March 2024.

"We love animals. However, difficult decisions have to be made all the time in farming. It is very sad that we were forced to put down three horses a few weeks ago, even though they had been with us for 25 years," wrote Noem on social media after news of Cricket's shooting spread.

The quote from the book was negatively responded to by various groups, including the conservative Lincoln Project, who reject Donald Trump. The organization's administrator, Rick Wilson, condemned Noem's actions.

Another dog

Cricket and Noem is not the only controversial story about dogs and their keeper families. Commander and Major, the family dogs of US President Joe Biden, were first in the spotlight.

AFP/ TIMOTHY A. CLARY

A German Shepherd was in action during the judging of the Breed (Hound and Herding) category at the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Lyndhurst Mansion, New York, USA on Monday (20/6/2022).

In December 2021, Commander entered the White House as a replacement for Champ. Commander and Champ are both German Shepherds. Physically, Commander is so majestic and impressive that he intimidates those who see him, in accordance with his typical characteristics as a herding dog breed.

However, he is actually known for his unsavory reputation. In a 400-page document received by CNN on Wednesday (21/2/2024), Commander was reported to be involved in 24 attacks from October 2022 to September 2023. The targets included members and commanders of the US presidential security forces. Outside of the report, Commander was also suspected of attacking and biting staff at the presidential residence and workers at the White House.

Also read: Pet Dog Bites Bodyguard, Joe Biden Deals with Conservative Group

Allegedly, Commander did not only behave in the White House. The dog also attacked people at the Biden family's home in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; at Camp David; and in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where the president's family spent Thanksgiving vacation.

The impact of the attack is also mentioned as varied. "The incident involving the Commander is treated as a workplace injury, and the incident is documented in accordance with the guidelines of the US Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security," said US Paspampres spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.

AFP/DANIEL MIHAILESCU

A German shepherd dog used as a tracker at Henri Coanda Airport in Romania in March 2024.

A CNN source close to the Biden family revealed that the US President's family is unhappy with Commander. "They are heartbroken," said the source who declined to be identified.

The Biden family apologized to those who were bitten. "They feel sorry about it. Commander is too protective, and although they tried and tried to fix it, they had to let him stay with other members of their family," said the source.

Also read: A dog with the rank of corporal goes viral in Brazil

The Biden family has repeatedly tried to deal with this situation. One of them, according to Elizabeth Alexander, is providing additional training for Commander. The dog is also equipped with an additional leash.

The family also worked with a veterinarian and consulted with an animal behavior expert. "However, the White House environment proved to be too stressful for Commander. Since last fall, he has been living with other family members," said Alexander, who serves as the spokesperson for the US First Lady.

AFP/MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

A German shepherd dog used as a tracker to help search for earthquake victims arrived at Adana Airport, Turkey, in February 2023.

According to Alexander, the decision to remove Commander from the White House is because "the President and First Lady are very concerned about the safety of those who work in the White House and the people who protect them every day".

Prior to Commander, the Biden family first brought Major, also a German Shepherd dog adopted in 2018 from the Delaware Humane Association. Major's arrival was warmly welcomed.

Also read: Dogs Proven Effective in Detecting People Infected with Covid-19

However, he only stayed briefly at the White House after a series of biting incidents. Major was then sent to Delaware for training in April 2021. Major briefly returned to the White House, but after consultations with dog trainers, animal behavior experts, and veterinarians, Major had to stay elsewhere.

The decision may disappoint those who were hoping that Major and Commander would bring a new era for the type of pets in the presidential residence. However, the story of Major and Commander shows that pets need time and patience to adjust, as well as finding a suitable environment.

Long tradition

It has become a tradition for the US President's family to have a beloved pet. Except for President Donald Trump, all US Presidents have had pets who were brought to the White House.

ERIN SCOTT/THE WHITE HOUSE VIA AP

Willow, US President Joe Biden's family cat, at the White House in January 2022

Presidents and their families have various kinds of beloved pets. The official website of The Human Society of The United States mentions that most presidential families own dogs. However, some presidents also have cats, horses, goats, alligators, rabbits, and even turkeys in the White House.

Also read: Many Dogs Adopted During Pandemic

According to Andrew Hager, the president's pets provide a different perspective on those in power. Hager, who is a historian at the Presidential Pet Museum, describes the president's pets as one of the ties that binds the community with the president and his family.

At times when the news coming from the government or the White House is often grim and disappointing, presidential pets break the gloom and make the president appear like a real person. "When you see all the bad things in the news, it's nice to think, 'Oh, hey, there's a president playing with his dog,'" said Hager.

N K. PEC

US President Richard Nixon smiled while showcasing one of the White House's pets, a Yorkshire Terrier named Pasha, to two junior visitors in his office in Washington, USA, on Thursday (5/2/1969).

Bernard Unti, a historian and communication strategy expert at the Humane Society of the United States, emphasized that "Keeping pets humanizes the president and his family. Keeping beloved pets is a common practice among millions of Americans." (AP/REUTERS)