Governor wants to kill President Biden’s eager dog, White House responds: “Disturbing” | Abroad

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A German shepherd who targets the calves of US President Joe Biden’s security guards, and a possible future vice president who wants to kill the four-legged friend. The United States has been under the spell of “dog gate” for more than a week.

It all started with the confession that the Republican governor of South Dakota made in her book at the end of April. Kristi Noem, possible vice president if Donald Trump is elected president, wrote that she shot and killed her “rambunctious” puppy about twenty years ago. The fourteen-month-old wire-haired pointer, named Cricket, showed aggressive behavior by biting, so she decided he had to be killed.

Storm of criticism

Kristi Noem used the story as an example of her willingness to make difficult decisions. “As I explain in the book, it wasn’t easy,” she said on messaging platform X. “But often the easy way is not the right way.” Noem then faced a storm of criticism. For example, experts who work with hunting dogs like Cricket say she should have trained the pup – not killed it. Noem didn’t care and continued to defend her action. “I followed the law and was a responsible dog owner and neighbor.”

LOOK. Who is Kristi Noem (52), possible running mate for Trump?

Noem then added fuel to the fire by suggesting in the book and during media appearances that Commander, US President Joe Biden’s dog, should be killed because he has bitten members of the Secret Service at least 24 times. For that reason, the dog no longer lives in the White House.

Noem writes at the top of a list of priorities for 2025 that if she gets into the White House, she would make sure she gets rid of Commander, according to a copy obtained by CNN. “Commander, say hello to Cricket on my behalf,” it sounds, among other things.

Governor Kristi Noem threatens that if Trump wins the election, “Commander will join Cricket.” © ANP / EPA

“Absurd”

This prompted White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre to respond yesterday. “We heard last week, of course like all of you, in her book that she killed her puppy. You’ve heard me say that was very, very sad. We find her comments disturbing. We find them absurd,” the press secretary told reporters.

According to Jean-Pierre, the US is a country that loves dogs. “And then suddenly you have a leader talking about putting dogs to sleep – killing dogs. That’s disturbing. I advise Noem to stop digging a hole for himself.”

Kristi Noem greets Donald Trump. The Republican governor is seen as Trump’s new vice president if he wins the 2024 presidential election. © Reuters

Commander is already Biden’s second dog to bite members of the security services. The previous dog, Major, had to leave the White House for a quieter environment.

Commander at the White House in 2022.
Commander at the White House in 2022. © AFP

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The article is in Dutch

Tags: Governor kill President Bidens eager dog White House responds Disturbing

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