The two German Shepherds belonging to President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden were sent back to the family's home in Wilmington, Delaware after an incident involving aggressive behavior at the White House last week.
CNN reports Major Biden, the first rescue dog to live in the White House, had what was described as a "biting incident" with White House security last week, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
Initial reports indicated that Major and Champ Biden, a 13-year-old dog that has slowed down physically due to his advanced age, were both sent back and will remain at the Biden family's home in Wilmington.
However, Michael LaRosa, the first lady's spokesman, told USA TODAY in an email that the two dogs will return to the White House after Dr. Biden returns from traveling.
"With the first lady traveling for three days, Champ and Major went to Delaware to stay with family friends," LaRosa wrote.
Major, 3, has been known to display agitated behavior at times, which includes jumping, barking and "charging" at staff and security members, sources with knowledge of the situation told CNN.
A source familiar with the pets told CNN the two dogs prefer to remain together, which President Biden has acknowledged publicly, noting that part of the reason for adopting Major was to give Champ a companion and keep the older dog active.
"We got Major, he's a rescue dog. We asked the vet, 'What can we do to keep Champ going?' and he said, 'Get him a young dog.' They're buddies," President Biden told the media on Valentine's Day while walking the two German Shepherds unleashed on the North Lawn via CNN.
Champ and Major moved into the White House from Delaware less than a week after President Biden's inauguration on January 20.
Photo: Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz/Flickr