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.
It’s a man-bites-dog story, both figuratively and literally.
People being cruel to animals as part of the food chain? It’s a day that ends in “y”
A potential vice president of the United States killed a dog because she didn’t like it? That’s newsworthy.
It might focus attention on animal cruelty.
Side note: Joe Biden very clearly likes his dogs, and treats them perhaps a little too well. Donald Trump famously doesn’t have any pets, and uses euphemisms like “…like a dog” to invoke cruelty. Make of that what you will.
I like Joe Biden’s dogs and wish they’d bite more secret service members.