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President Joe Biden’s dog, Commander, has been relocated from the White House after several biting incidents with staff and Secret Service agents.

Elizabeth Alexander, the First Lady’s communications director, announced the decision, noting that the safety of White House staff and security personnel was of paramount importance. She mentioned, “Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated.”

The move comes after recent reports and a photograph emerged showcasing an incident involving Commander and Dale Haney, the White House’s head groundskeeper. The US Secret Service confirmed that Commander had nipped 11 of its agents, with other reports indicating additional incidents involving White House employees. In one case, a law enforcement officer needed hospital attention after an encounter with the dog. Following a September incident, Alexander had commented on the challenges for pets in the high-stress environment of the White House and the Bidens’ efforts to assist Commander in adapting.

Commander is not the first of the Biden’s dogs to display aggressive behavior. Previously, their German shepherd, Major, was sent to Delaware to live with friends after similar incidents. Commander, a gift to President Biden from his brother James in December 2021, had been a more recent addition to the White House following the passing of the Bidens’ older dog, Champ, last year. The family also has a cat named Willow.