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.
His base likes dogs and also likes killing dogs.
I grew up in the south. I have heard countless stories about killlng dogs who don’t perform well on a hunt. This is how conservatives brag about how little empathy they have, because they see empathy as weakness. They use these stories to show that they are happy to kill anything for any reason. This kind of story is so common here that happily killing animals seems fundamental to being a conservative.
I assure you, his base is in no way offended by her story of killing a puppy.