Joe Biden’s dogs taken back to Delaware after displaying aggressive behavior and a biting incident

President Joe Biden has sent his two dogs back to his family home in Wilmington, Delaware, after the younger of the two German Shepherds was involved in a ‘biting incident’ with a White House security agent.

Three-year-old Major, whom Biden and his wife Jill adopted in November 2018 from an animal shelter, had been displaying aggressive behavior including jumping, barking and charging at White House staff and security.

The sources described a ‘biting incident’ involving a member of the security services but did not specify if the person was injured. 

The two German Shepherds belonging to President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden were returned to the Biden family home in Delaware last week

The dogs were sent home after the younger one, Major, exhibited aggressive behavior towards White House staff

The dogs were sent home after the younger one, Major, exhibited aggressive behavior towards White House staff

Biden's other dog, Champ, is 14 years old and has slowed down due to his age, which has made the transition easier

Biden’s other dog, Champ, is 14 years old and has slowed down due to his age, which has made the transition easier

The episode was, however, seen as serious enough for both dogs, including 14-year-old Champ, to be returned to the Bidens’ home in Wilmington last week.

When the first lady is out of town, the dogs sometimes stay in Delaware with minders, though it’s not clear if that is the case here. 

Dr. Biden departed Monday afternoon for a two-day trip to Washington and California to visit military bases. 

Major is the first rescue dog to have lived in the White House, having moved in after Biden’s inauguration in January.

The dogs often feature in the background of Oval Office photos. Champ is pictured here during a meeting with senior advisers

The dogs often feature in the background of Oval Office photos. Champ is pictured here during a meeting with senior advisers

President Joe Biden walks with his dogs Major and Champ in the Rose Garden of the White House in January

President Joe Biden walks with his dogs Major and Champ in the Rose Garden of the White House in January

Major was also 'inaugurated' three days before the presidential inauguration. The 'indoguration' featured a performance by Josh Groban, with over 7,400 people watching on Zoom. It raised $200,000 for the Delaware Humane Association

Major was also ‘inaugurated’ three days before the presidential inauguration. The ‘indoguration’ featured a performance by Josh Groban, with over 7,400 people watching on Zoom. It raised $200,000 for the Delaware Humane Association

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 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 on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show.’

The dogs joined the Bidens at the White House shortly after they relocated to Washington. 

Since then, they have been allowed to roam unleashed on the White House grounds and often feature in the background of Oval Office photos.

The dogs have been allowed to roam unleashed on the White House grounds

The dogs have been allowed to roam unleashed on the White House grounds

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, joined by White House Grounds Superintendent Dale Haney and her granddaughter Maisy Biden, play with the Biden's dogs Major and Champ on the South Lawn of the White House

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, joined by White House Grounds Superintendent Dale Haney and her granddaughter Maisy Biden, play with the Biden’s dogs Major and Champ on the South Lawn of the White House

‘They really don’t have any rules, they’re really good dogs,’ Biden told People.  

‘We trained them from the beginning,’ Biden said. ‘Champ is old, he’s 14 years old and he was extremely well-trained by the Canine Corps and he thinks he’s Secret Service, but Major, who is a big, little dog, is about a year-and-half-old and the only rule Jill has and he follows it: do not get up on the furniture.’ 

Champ and Major appeared in ads for the Biden campaign in 2020. 

Major was also ‘inaugurated’ three days before the presidential inauguration. The ‘indoguration’ featured a performance by Josh Groban, with over 7,400 people watching on Zoom. It raised $200,000 for the Delaware Humane Association. 

Last month appeared alongside the first lady during the annual Puppy Bowl in a public service announcement encouraging Americans to wear masks amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

Major and Champ are the first pets at the White House since the Obama Administration

Major and Champ are the first pets at the White House since the Obama Administration

President Joe Biden plays with the Biden family dogs Champ and Major, seen last month

President Joe Biden plays with the Biden family dogs Champ and Major, seen last month