South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem — a potential running mate for presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump — is getting attention again. This time, it's for a new book where she writes about killing an unruly dog, and a smelly goat, too.
The Guardian obtained a copy of Noem's soon-to-be released book, "No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward." In it, she tells the story of the ill-fated Cricket, a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer she was training for pheasant hunting.
She writes, according to the Guardian, that the tale was included to show her willingness to do anything "difficult, messy and ugly" if it has to be done. But backlash was swift against the Republican governor, who just a month ago drew attention and criticism for posting an infomercial-like video about cosmetic dental surgery she received out-of-state.
In her book, Noem writes that she took Cricket on a hunting trip with older dogs in hopes of calming down the wild puppy. Instead, Cricket chased the pheasants while "having the time of her life."
On her way back from the hunting trip, Noem recounts an incident where she engaged with a family. Cricket, her dog, jumped out of Noem's truck, attacked and killed some of the family's chickens, and even bit the governor.
Noem expressed deep regret, wrote a check to compensate the family for the lost chickens, and assisted in disposing of the carcasses, as she narrates. She describes Cricket as appearing "full of happiness" throughout the entire event.
"I had a strong dislike for that dog," Noem states, labeling her as "impossible to train."
Realizing the severity of the situation, Noem decided to euthanize Cricket. She led the dog to a gravel pit and put her down.
In addition to this, Noem mentions a male goat owned by her family, describing him as "vicious and foul-smelling," who had a tendency to chase her children. Consequently, she made the choice to end the goat's life as well. Noem recounts that the goat survived the initial shot, prompting her to retrieve another shell from the truck and shoot him once more, ultimately resulting in his death.
Shortly after these events, Noem's children arrived home on a school bus. Her daughter inquired, "Where's Cricket?" Noem recalls.
Following the release of these excerpts, social media platforms were flooded with criticism, with numerous individuals sharing images of their beloved pets. President Joe Biden's reelection campaign seized on the opportunity to highlight the story on social media, pairing it with a photograph of Noem alongside Trump.
Others joined in, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sharing a photo on X of him feeding ice cream to his dog.
"Post a picture with your dog that doesn't involve shooting them and throwing them in a gravel pit. I'll start," Walz, a Democrat, wrote.
Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer then responded to Walz's post by sharing a photo of herself holding her two dogs.
The Lincoln Project, a conservative group that opposes Trump, released a video labeled a "public service announcement," showcasing misbehaving dogs and emphasizing that "shooting your dog in the face is not an option."
"You put down old dogs, hurt dogs, and sick dogs humanely, not by shooting them and tossing them in a gravel pit," expressed Rick Wilson of the Lincoln Project on X. "Unsporting and deliberately cruel ... but she wrote this to prove the cruelty is the point."
Noem defended herself on social media.
"We love animals, but tough decisions like this happen all the time on a farm," she said on X. "Sadly, we just had to put down 3 horses a few weeks ago that had been in our family for 25 years."
She encouraged readers to preorder her book if they want "more real, honest, and politically INcorrect stories that'll have the media gasping."
Republican strategist Alice Stewart expressed that while some Republican voters might see it as a testament to her resilience, it ultimately serves as a distraction for Noem.
"It's never a good look when people perceive you as mistreating animals," Stewart remarked. "I have a dog that I cherish like a child, and the thought of such actions, let alone writing about it in a book for the world to read, is unimaginable to me."
This is not the first instance where Noem has captured national attention.
In 2019, she defended the state's anti-meth campaign, despite it becoming the target of ridicule due to the tagline "Meth. We're on it." Noem argued that the campaign sparked conversations about the methamphetamine crisis and encouraged some individuals to seek treatment.
Recently, Noem shared a video lasting almost five minutes on X platform, praising a team of cosmetic dentists in Texas for enhancing her smile, which she described as a source of pride. "I am grateful to my new family at Smile Texas!" she enthused.
South Dakota legislation prohibits gifts exceeding $100 from lobbyists to public officials and their immediate family members. Violation of this law constitutes a misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail and/or a fine of $2,000. The state attorney general's office has refrained from clarifying whether the gift restriction extends to individuals not registered as lobbyists.
Breaking News: Scientists Discover New Species of Giant Squid
Note: The above video first aired on March 5, 2024.
Researchers at the Oceanic Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery with the identification of a new species of giant squid. The specimen, which measures an astonishing 30 feet in length, was found during a deep-sea expedition off the coast of Japan.
This new species, named "Megaloteuthis titanica," is the largest squid ever recorded and has sparked excitement among marine biologists worldwide. The discovery sheds light on the mysterious world of deep-sea creatures and opens up new possibilities for further research and exploration.
Scientists are now planning to conduct additional studies on the habitat and behavior of Megaloteuthis titanica to learn more about this fascinating creature and its role in the marine ecosystem.
