The Secret Service is shining light on two of its agents it says helped stop a man who jumped the White House fence on Wednesday.
Jordan and Hurricane — two Belgian Malinois — stopped the jumper, 23-year-old Dominic Adesanya, after he had ventured approximately 30 yards beyond the White House fence.
“Dog got him,” a Secret Service spokesman explained after the breach.
In recognition of the agents’ work, the Secret Service highlighted them on its Twitter account on Thursday.
USSS K-9 Hurricane – black Belgian Malinois, brown eyes, age 6, enjoys playing with his Kong toy, ready to work pic.twitter.com/1tDO1bI741
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) October 23, 2014
USSS K-9 Jordan – black/tan Belgian Malinois, brown eyes, age 5, enjoys walks around White House, ready to work pic.twitter.com/sMphy85HQf
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) October 23, 2014
During the struggle, authorities say Adesanya punched the dogs.
Since both are classified as federal agents, Adesanya is being charged with two counts of assault on a police officer. He is also facing charges of unlawful entry, making threats and resisting arrest.
A veterinarian has cleared both agents.
The Secret Service began employing K-9s in the 1970s. The agency now only uses the Belgian Malinois breed.
“Known for their adaptability to new climates and environments and their work drive, these dogs are exceptional members of the Secret Service,” reads a Secret Service explainer. “They generally work 7-11 years in the Secret Service and grow to an average 75 pounds. At night, after a busy day’s work, they go home with their handlers, where they are a part of the family.”
Also used by the military, one Belgian Malinois named Cairo was used in the Osama bin Laden raid.
Wednesday’s breach was handled more efficiently than an incident last month when a man named Omar Gonzalez scaled the White House fence and made it all the way into the residence. Secret Service K-9s were not released in that incident. Gonzalez assaulted an off-duty Secret Service agent before another agent tackled him.
According to Adesanya’s father, Victor, his son suffers from mental problems and has breached security at the White House before.
Dominic Adesanya fought with the dogs, his father told CNN, because “he’s got to prove he’s this phenomenon athlete.”