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.
Gives me some hope for the world that everyone hates dog killers
Even non-psychopaths who aren’t dog people. When I encounter a dog, any dog, I couldn’t be more uncomfortable. But I don’t find this sort of thing any less shocking than people who have and love dogs.
Conservatives don’t hate dog killers. They love to brag about killing things, including dogs and cats. It’s all just part of being a piece of shit conservative. But, the conservatives can sense that it looks bad to openly brag about killing a puppy. They just haven’t figured out a way to make it look good yet. So they are backing away from her for the moment.
But, mark my words… They will eventually circle back and reframe puppy-killing as “so brave and strong” for doing “what needed to be done”.
crazy take