Biden's dogs sent home after 'biting incident'
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A January photo of Champ and Major on the South Lawn of the White House. The two German Shepherds have been sent back to President Joe Biden's family home in Delaware.
PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
WASHINGTON • US President Joe Biden has sent his two German Shepherds back to his family home in Wilmington, Delaware, after the younger dog was involved in a "biting incident" with a White House security agent, US media said.
Three-year-old Major, which was adopted by Mr Biden and his wife Jill in November 2018 from an animal shelter, had been displaying aggressive behaviour including jumping, barking and charging at White House staff and security, CNN reported on Monday, citing two anonymous sources.
The sources described a "biting incident" involving a member of the security services but did not specify if the person was injured.
The episode was, however, seen as serious enough for Major and 13-year-old Champ to be returned to the Bidens' family home in Wilmington last week.
Major is the first rescue dog to have lived in the White House, having moved in after Mr Biden's inauguration in January.
Mr Biden's predecessor Donald Trump did not have any pets at the White House.
It was not immediately clear when - or if - the dogs would be allowed to return.
First Lady Jill Biden said in an interview last month that she had been focused on getting the dogs settled into their new home in Washington.
"They have to take the elevator, they're not used to that, and they have to go out on the South Lawn with lots of people watching them. So that's what I've been obsessed with, getting everybody settled and calm," she said.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE