Politicians and dog experts are criticizing South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem after she wrote in a new book about killing a rambunctious puppy. The story — and the vilification she received on social media — has some wondering whether she’s still a viable potential running mate for presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Experts who work with hunting dogs like Noem’s said she should have trained — not killed — the pup, or found other options if the dog was out of control.

Noem has tried to reframe the story from two decades ago as an example of her willingness to make tough decisions. She wrote on social media that the 14-month-old wirehaired pointer named Cricket had shown aggressive behavior by biting.

“As I explained in the book, it wasn’t easy,” she said on X. “But often the easy way isn’t the right way.”

Still, Democrats and even some conservatives have been critical.

  • iiGxC
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    7
    arrow-down
    29
    ·
    2 months ago

    “Oh no she killed a dog unnecessarily!”

    takes bite of cheeseburger

    maybe people would be more ok with it if she ate the dog so their “sacrifice” didn’t “go to waste”?

    or maybe it’s time to recognize that animals are morally relevant and we don’t need to eat them to be healthy, so it’s time to stop the unnecessary killing. Even if you don’t give a fuck about other animals (and by logical extension, are fine with this lady killing her dog), but care about the environment, it’s still time to stop