In a recent publication by the British newspaper, The Guardian, an excerpt from Governor Noem’s book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward,” was shared. The Governor recounted an incident where she shot a dog that was described as having an “aggressive personality.”
According to Noem, she took Cricket on a pheasant hunt to teach it proper behavior alongside older dogs. However, during the hunt, Cricket became overwhelmed with excitement and started chasing after the birds, thoroughly enjoying itself. The governor mentioned that she tried using an electronic collar to control Cricket’s behavior, but it proved to be ineffective.
It was in that very moment when Noem came to a realization that she had to euthanize her.
She wrote that it was an unpleasant task, but one that needed to be carried out. She went on to explain that she led Cricket to a gravel pit before shooting it.
According to the governor, she expressed her disdain for the dog, describing it as “untrainable” and a potential threat to anyone it encountered.
Newsweek has not been able to verify the reported passage as the publication has not obtained a copy of the book. In an effort to gather more information, Newsweek has reached out to a spokesperson for Noem’s office for comment via email.
Noem faced severe criticism on X, formerly known as Twitter, as her account triggered a strong negative reaction. Many prominent Republicans expressed their disapproval of Noem, who had been considered as a potential vice presidential candidate for former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former director of strategic communications in the Trump White House and current co-host of The View, expressed her shock and dismay at the excerpt from Kristi Noem. As a dog lover herself, she found it unsettling and wishes she had not come across it. Griffin believes that a 14-month old dog is still a puppy and can be trained. She emphasizes that a lack of proper training from the dog’s owners often contributes to behavioral issues in dogs.
In a separate post, Griffin expressed her deep belief that dogs are a divine blessing, representing God’s unwavering love. She firmly stated that anyone who would intentionally harm an animal out of mere inconvenience is in dire need of assistance.
Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late GOP Senator John McCain, expressed her shock and disbelief by exclaiming, “What in the actual f***?!?”
Sarah Matthews, the former deputy White House press secretary in the Trump administration, expressed her shock and disbelief when she came across tweets accusing Kristi Noem of killing her puppy. Initially assuming it was a political attack from one of the other vice president contenders, Sarah soon realized that it was actually disclosed by Noem herself in her own book. Sarah couldn’t fathom why someone would boast about such an act, unless they were of a sick and twisted mindset.
The Lincoln Project, a coalition of Republicans opposed to Trump, recently shared on X that Kristi Noem can now be labeled as a “puppy killer” in addition to her extensive record of questionable actions. They emphasize the need to combat the negative aspects emanating from the MAGA world with the most powerful weapon at our disposal – optimism.
Rick Wilson, one of the co-founders of The Lincoln Project, emphasizes the importance of treating dogs with care and compassion. He believes that while not every dog is suitable for certain tasks or environments, the vast majority of them can still be trained or find a new home. Wilson shares a personal anecdote about a dog that was never meant for fieldwork but was given a loving home instead. He strongly opposes the idea of euthanizing old, injured, or sick dogs through violent means like shooting and disposing of them in a gravel pit. Instead, he advocates for humane and compassionate treatment of these animals.
In response to the criticism she has received, Noem addressed the situation on X and expressed, “We have a deep appreciation for animals, but difficult decisions like this are not uncommon in the farming industry. Regrettably, we recently had to euthanize three horses that have been a part of our family for 25 years.”