Trump’s Shock and Awe Campaign Is Our Conservative Dream Come True
Here Are the Final Details Between Colombia and the US Over Deportation Flights
If It Wasn't on HBO, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith Wouldn't Be Invited Back...
Hear, See, Speak No Evil!
Demoralized Democrats Are Dazed and Confused
Trump’s Opportunity in the Greater Middle East
WH Hails Capturing Top Illegal Immigrant Criminals and It's Monumental
How RFK Jr. Plans to Tackle the Opioid Crisis
Trump Releases Weapons Biden Withheld From Israel
NYC Sees First Five-Day Period in 30 Years With No Shooting Victims
Federal Worker Slams Trump’s Executive Order: 'It’s Making My Job Harder'
How JD Vance Was the Man Behind the J6 Pardons
JD Vance's First Interview as VP Is Brilliant
UPDATE: Colombia President Backs Down After Trump Threatens Nation for Rejecting Deportati...
Under Trump’s 'One Flag Policy,' Only Old Glory Takes the Spotlight
Tipsheet

Noem Issues Statement Responding to Criticism for Shooting Her Dog

AP Photo/Stephen Groves File

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem issued a statement on Sunday defending her decision to shoot her 14-month-old dog Cricket, which was recounted in her upcoming book, "No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.”

Advertisement

“I can understand why some people are upset about a 20 year old story of Cricket, one of the working dogs at our ranch, in my upcoming book — No Going Back. The book is filled with many honest stories of my life, good and bad days, challenges, painful decisions, and lessons learned,” she said on X.  

“What I learned from my years of public service, especially leading South Dakota through COVID, is people are looking for leaders who are authentic, willing to learn from the past, and don’t shy away from tough challenges,” Noem added. “My hope is anyone reading this book will have an understanding that I always work to make the best decisions I can for the people in my life.” 

The GOP governor made the difficult decision after the dog attacked and killed a family's chickens on her way home from a hunting trip, then bit her.

Noem apologized profusely, wrote the distraught family a check for the deceased chickens, and helped them dispose of the carcasses, she writes. Cricket “was the picture of joy” as all that unfolded.

“I hated that dog,” Noem writes, deeming her “untrainable.”

“At that moment,” Noem writes, “I realized I had to put her down.” She led Cricket to a gravel pit and killed her.

That wasn’t all. Noem writes that her family also owned a “nasty and mean” male goat that smelled bad and liked to chase her kids. She decided to go ahead and kill the goat, too. She writes that the goat survived the first shot, so she went back to the truck, got another shell, then shot him again, killing him. (AP)

Advertisement

“The fact is, South Dakota law states that dogs who attack and kill livestock can be put down. Given that Cricket had shown aggressive behavior toward people by biting them, I decided what I did," her statement continued. 

"Whether running the ranch or in politics, I have never passed on my responsibilities to anyone else to handle. Even if it’s hard and painful. I followed the law and was being a responsible parent, dog owner, and neighbor," Noem added. "As I explained in the book, it wasn't easy. But often the easy way isn't the right way."


Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement