Photo: Screenshot, Rep. Randy Fine, X account
Americans are known for many things: our outspokenness, our will to defend our rights, and our love of all God’s creatures, especially dogs. There is nothing more American than “Man’s best friend.”
Although this is deeply embedded in our culture, a debate over dogs has erupted after Palestinian “activist” Nerdeen Kiswani publicly declared that dogs are “unclean” on X and stated that they should not be indoor pets. American dog-lovers immediately responded, including Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla.
Fine posted a series of pro-dog “Don’t Tread On Me,” memes and stated, “If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.”
Kiswani later claimed that her post was simply a joke, according to the Daily Mail, but concerns over culture clashes between traditional Americans and the growing Muslim population have become a serious issue.
The Guardian proudly released a piece on how Muslims are changing the culture of New York City. In Texas, an alleged Saudi investor is purchasing 2,000 acres of land to bring 20,000 people to the rural area of Kaufman, Texas, per the Daily Caller, and Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing a Texas utility district over violating potential state oversight policies to support the controversial East Plano Islamic Center (“EPIC”) development.
In other Western nations with growing Muslim populations, culture clashes have reached such a level that singing “We love bacon” in public can lead to an arrest, because bacon is not considered halal, or allowed in Islam, per GB News.
According to The Irish Sun, Ireland’s Labour Party began supporting dog-free spaces in 2024 after a government study determined that dogs were “racist” because they offend minorities.
Islamic nations cull and ban dogs altogether. The BBC reported that Iran banned public dog walking in numerous cities just last year, while the murder of countless dogs has been carried out to cull them in Morocco, Turkey, and other predominantly Muslim nations.
Whether Kiswani was joking or not, Americans have plenty of reasons to argue for keeping their dogs.
Dogs are embedded in our culture and history. An English Mastiff and English Spaniel came to America with the settlers on the Mayflower. Lewis and Clark’s dog, Seaman, helped them explore west of the Mississippi to secure the Louisiana Purchase. During World War II, 3rd Infantry Division canine soldier Chips became the most decorated war dog in our history. A long list of dogs lived at the White House, including President Ronald Reagan’s dog Rex.
Our dogs are family. They protect our children. They alleviate depression and anxiety. They helped shape each of the United States. Most importantly, they bring us close to God through their simple joy and love. Congressman Fine is right, Dogs are here to stay.
