Overview
- Vice President JD Vance told New York Post columnist Miranda Devine that people who mistreat dogs are "really terrible" and compared animal cruelty to behavior linked to serial killers.
- He said his German Shepherd, Atlas, was intensively trained without shock devices and contrasted that with reports that Joe Biden’s dog Commander bit Secret Service agents.
- Outlets highlighted Kristi Noem’s 2024 memoir in which she wrote that she used an electronic collar on a puppy named Cricket and later shot the dog, underscoring a stark contrast with Vance’s stance.
- Social media users on X and Bluesky criticized Vance for hypocrisy over Noem’s past admission, and coverage noted that Noem has not responded to his remarks.
- Vance also rebuked streamer Hasan Piker over a viral clip alleging use of a shock collar, while Piker denied shocking his dog and shot back by citing Noem’s puppy shooting to accuse officials of hypocrisy.