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.

  • @inclementimmigrant
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    408 months ago

    Yup. Just more and more detail that Republicans have really fucked up morals.

    The fact that this immoral dumbass is still trying to defend her complete lack of ability to train or control a dog, and trying to make it as “making hard choices” due to her own utter massive incompetence, is just telling about the mind set of what Republicans look to as moral guidance.