President Biden and the First Lady rehomed their problematic pup, Major, after a series of biting incidents, but their choice to purchase a new dog, rather than adopting, angered the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Biden announced the new addition to the White House with a pic of their new puppy, Commander, prancing across a lawn with a tennis ball in his mouth in a Twitter post.
Welcome to the White House, Commander. pic.twitter.com/SUudQnPv29
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 20, 2021
“This seems deeply disappointing @POTUS. You know it’s important to adopt homeless animals like Major. Paying a breeder to add to overpopulation is irresponsible & killer,” the group captioned on retweet of the president’s post. “We wish Commander a great life, but the nearly 200 adoptable shepherds within 100mi of D.C. deserve one too.”
Commander is the third German Shepard the Biden’s have had during their time at the White House. When the first couple moved in, they brought along 13-year-old Champ, who passed away six months ago, and 3-year-old rescue Major.
Major’s tenure at the White House was fraught with behavioral issues. Both dogs were initially allowed to roam the halls freely, but Major caused two biting incidents, and the animals were sent back to Biden’s home in Delaware. He was recently rehomed.
“After consulting with dog trainers, animal behaviorists, and veterinarians, the First Family has decided … it would be safest for Major to live in a quieter environment with family friends,” the first lady’s spokesman said Monday.
“This is not in reaction to any new or specific incident, but rather a decision reached after several months of deliberation as a family and discussions with experts,” he added.
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