South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem Faces Backlash After Killing Dog Cricket

Introductory Summary

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is facing severe criticism following her decision to shoot her dog Cricket. Originally claiming that Cricket was killed due to being a threat to livestock, Noem’s reasons have allegedly changed to asserting that the dog posed a danger to her children. The controversy has received significant attention on social media, resulting in a decline in the bookies’ odds on Noem being chosen as a potential running mate for Donald Trump in the 2024 elections.

Noem’s Changing Reasons for Killing Cricket

Noem detailed the incident in her forthcoming book, titled “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.” In the extract published by The Guardian, Noem recounts the events leading up to Cricket’s death. According to Noem, the dog, a 14-month-old wirehair pointer, was originally intended to be trained for pheasant hunting. However, during a hunting trip, Cricket became overly excited, chased birds, and subsequently attacked a neighboring family’s chickens, killing them one by one.

Noem says that when she tried to intervene, Cricket turned on her and bit her. After this incident, Noem labeled Cricket “untrainable” and deemed her worthless as a hunting dog. Noem described Cricket as dangerous and ultimately made the decision to shoot her, deeming it necessary to protect her children and others from a potentially harmful animal.

Community Backlash and Noem’s Response

The controversy surrounding Cricket’s death has sparked outrage among social media users, including some Republicans, who argue that Noem’s reasons for shooting the dog have changed over time. Community notes attached to a tweet highlighted the evolving justifications Noem presented for Cricket’s death, ranging from aggression towards her to posing a threat to her children.

Despite the backlash, Noem has staunchly defended her actions. In a tweet, she commented, “Don’t believe the #fakenews media’s twisted spin. I had a choice between the safety of my children and an animal who had a history of attacking people & killing livestock. I chose my kids.” Noem also shared interviews, including one on Fox News with Sean Hannity, supporting her claim that Cricket was an “extremely dangerous” dog.

Impact on Noem’s Political Future

The controversy surrounding Cricket’s death and Noem’s justifications has had a profound impact on her political aspirations. The bookies’ odds on Noem being chosen as a potential running mate for Donald Trump in the 2024 elections have drastically fallen. Some Republicans have also expressed their disapproval of Noem’s actions, raising concerns about her judgment and compatibility as a potential vice president.

Conclusion

The story of Kristi Noem killing her dog Cricket has gained significant attention, sparking controversy and dividing public opinion. Noem’s evolving justifications for shooting her dog have been met with backlash and scrutiny. With the release of her book approaching, the impact of this controversy on her political future remains uncertain.