Staff Reports
An animal rights group, PETA, is criticizing Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota for her decision to put down her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, due to its poor hunting skills. The governor shared the story in her book, No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward, as an example of her willingness to confront difficult situations.
PETA’s Senior Director, Colleen O’Brien, described Noem’s actions as inhumane and lacking compassion. Noem explained that she shot the dog after it killed a local family’s chickens and then bit her when she tried to stop it. Noem expressed her disdain for the dog and deemed it as “less than worthless” for failing to hunt properly. She also mentioned shooting a goat she owned.
We love animals, but tough decisions like this happen all the time on a farm. Sadly, we just had to put down 3 horses a few weeks ago that had been in our family for 25 years.
If you want more real, honest, and politically INcorrect stories that’ll have the media gasping,… pic.twitter.com/bKhpUkchHV
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) April 26, 2024
The governor admitted that she hesitated to include the story in her book, acknowledging that it could be controversial. However, she defended her decision, stating that tough choices are common on a farm and sharing an example of having to put down three horses recently. Noem also highlighted her affection for animals while promoting her book and responding to the criticism.
As a rumored vice presidential candidate for former President Donald Trump, Noem received backlash from animal lovers and PETA for her handling of the situation. Noem’s staff directed inquiries on the matter to her social media post, where she reiterated her love for animals and defended the difficult decisions frequently faced on a farm.
