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.
So when politicians support tons of policies that harm, starve, and needlessly incarcerate millions of living American humans, no big deal, but if one fucking dog gets harmed suddenly we give a shit.
Cool. Our empathy for our fellow man definitely isn’t broken at all.
It’s not hard to understand at all. There’s a couple things at work here: first, humans are terrible at connecting emotionally to long term consequences. That’s why a disaster that kills 100 people will always elicit a stronger reaction than a policy that will kill millions.
Another thing happening is how humans subconsciously justify things to themselves. An adult could have “deserved” whatever happened, but there’s no way a puppy did.
I think it’s dogs tickling the same parts of our brains as kids, which would go towards explaining the similar reactions.
I think there’s also the idea that many people have that dogs are loyal and loving no matter what and don’t judge you, unlike all of those awful people out there who obviously deserve what’s coming to them.
That’s how it is. Like it or not, people care a hell of a lot more when a dog dies in a movie than when a person dies.
Yeah, but I know none of those people would be my friend while the dog definitely would.
That’s exactly why even a lot of Republicans are disgusted by her. “Fuck people, but my dogs will always love me.”
To be fair, I said “fuck me, I’m a piece of shit but dogs just know I’m the best at scritches”.
Working with a lot of farm/country/redneck people was a culture shock to me. Some of them treat hunting dogs like farm equipment. I have a 16yo dog that’s never been outside unattended for longer than a shower, and that was when he had a privacy fence and bigger dogs to chill with. It took a bit of time for me to have respect for some of them.
People are fucky.
Inability to be empathetic and kind to animals is a psychopathic trait. People who don’t want to and wouldn’t hurt humans, wouldn’t hurt animals either. But those who want to hurt humans will usually resort to hurting animals because they can get away with it more easily. (especial treatment for small mammals and pets as they are the emotionally closest to us)
Carnists: nervous glance
The point isnt human vs dog, its direct vs indirect action. People are a lot more disgusted by murderers than the person that put out the hit.
People kinda suck. I’ve never met a dog I didn’t like. (this is slight sarcasm)