Putnam Hob Nobs with Dog Shooters — and then Blames Democrats

This morning, The Tampa Bay Times reported that Adam Putnam will host a fundraiser in Orlando with “Christopher Comins, a businessman and Republican activist who drew considerable attention in 2008” for “shooting two pet huskies who had wandered into a cow pasture.”

Putnam’s campaign defended the fundraiser with an attempted dog murderer by saying that it was okay because his opponent Ron DeSantis “had received a campaign donation from a prominent Democratic donor.”

“Adam Putnam should immediately apologize for comparing Democrats to attempted dog killers. Putnam’s comments are bizarre and deeply offensive — and show just how far he is willing to go to defend his connections to shady donors,” said Florida Democratic Party spokesperson Kevin Donohoe. “Today’s vile rhetoric is just a reminder that despite his best efforts, Adam Putnam is a hyperpartisan career politician who will say anything — no matter how offensive or stupid — to win.”

Tampa Bay Times: Dog shooter hosts Adam Putnam fundraiser

By Adam C. Smith

A couple controversial figures host a Orlando fundraiser for Putnam

It’s no secret that Adam Putnam is a loyal NRA supporter and avid defender of gun rights. But we suspect aligning himself with a donor videotaped shooting two pet huskies multiple times at point blank range could be a bridge too far for most firearm enthusiasts.

Today, Putnam is scheduled to attend a fundraising reception at the Orlando home of Christopher Comins, a businessman and Republican activist who drew considerable attention in 2008 after he was charged with animal cruelty. Irish tourists videotaped him seven times shooting two pet huskies who had wandered into a cow pasture. The footage is hard to watch:

The dogs, Raley and Hoochie, survived, though Raley lost an eye.

Comins at the time said he was protecting the cattle. A judge in 2011 acquitted him of all charges, saying that Comins had been directed to shoot by the property owner, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Another host of today’s fundraiser, Leland McKee, was arrested on extortion charges years ago.

The Putnam campaign responded to a question about the controversial fundraising hosts by noting that a Republican rival Ron DeSantis had received a campaign donation from a prominent Democratic donor.