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.
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.