Media twist on vicious dog story won’t keep Noem from Jefferson Co GOP event

The proverb that if something sounds too good to be true then it probably is, still holds true in politics today.

Like when Democrats spread stories about Republicans that are too horrific to be true, it’s usually because it is.

Case in point, it took three days for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to go from vice presidential contender to puppy killer.

The likely death of her political career is all thanks to a British tabloid that took liberties with her account of a vicious dog that could not be trained out of its dangerous behavior and had to be put down.

It was not a puppy, and it’s a sad story — in context.

Unfortunately for Noem, the U.S. media have zero intention of adding the context, of which The Guardian added just enough to see through the hype.

Jefferson County Republicans are embracing SD Gov Kristi Noem’s puppy-killing controversy, saying she’ll discuss “the animal killings” when she keynotes their Saturday fundraiser. #copolitics pic.twitter.com/k8T3W7I0Qs

— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) April 30, 2024

Stripping away the emotion of the story, included in a yet-to-be-released book the tabloid claims to have obtained, it’s a tragic event Noem recounts about her hunting dog that turned vicious on too many occasions.

After the 14-month-old wirehair pointer turned on her, she faced a decision dog owners dread.

That she took responsibility for doing the deed herself instead of dropping it off at a kill shelter was not taken lightly.

She was right that she probably should not have included the account, which was meant to illustrate her resolve when it comes to tough decisions.

Hunters and many farmers and rural folk will understand what she faced, city people will not.

It’s unlikely her reputation will ever recover from the account if the media gets its way, and that is a shame.

Good for the Jefferson County Republicans for showing some courage and keeping their date with Noem this week as the governor hosts their annual fundraiser.

We encourage Republicans to turn out and hear her side of the story before siding with a British tabloid and Kyle Clark.