Both Democrats and Republicans are joining in after South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem revealed in her upcoming memoir that she shot and killed her 14-month-old puppy named Cricket because of the dog’s alleged bad behavior.
The mother of three and former member of Congress has seen her political cache skyrocket in recent years and was reportedly a leading contender to become Donald Trump’s running mate in 2024. But as the gruesome story , First reported by The Guardian’s Martin Pengellygained momentum Friday, as did questions about Noem’s chances for the vice presidency.
In her new memoir, Noem writes that she tried, unsuccessfully, to channel Cricket’s pup’s energy into hunting pheasants. Instead, Cricket “went crazy with excitement, chasing all those birds and having the time of her life.” On the way home from hunting, Noem writes, the dog escaped from his truck and attacked a local family’s chickens, behaving “like an untrainable killer.”
Noem says she took the wirehaired pointer to a gravel pit and ended its life.
“We love animals, but difficult decisions like this happen all the time on a farm.” Noem tweeted after the story had already gone viral..
According to The Guardian, Noem told the grisly story to illustrate her willingness to do “difficult, messy and ugly” things when necessary. Instead, the story has sparked negative reactions from both Republicans and Democrats.
“Post a photo with your dog that doesn’t involve shooting it and throwing it into a gravel pit,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. wrote in X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Next to it was a photo of Walz giving his dog a treat.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also responded with photos of their beloved pets.
“Ready for the weekend,” he joked. Biden-Harris campaign accountalongside photos of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris playing happily with their dogs.
“ACT NOW!” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida.) wrote in X along with a casual style video in memory of Cricket. “For just $0.10 a day you can help us save Kristi Noem’s puppy.”
MAGA media personality and Trump ally Laura Loomer offered even harsher criticism, saying the ugly chapter disqualified Noem’s chances as vice president.
“She can’t be vice president now” Loomer tweeted. “You can’t shoot your dog and then be vice president.”
Meanwhile, the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump PAC founded by former members of the Republican Party, posted his own videocomplete with a hashtag, #Justice4Cricket.
“Dog owners know that our furry friends can be a lot of things to keep up with. But when those difficult moments come, you have options,” the video said. “Shooting your dog in the face shouldn’t be one of them. And if you shoot your dog in the face, please don’t write about it in your autobiography.”
Florida Governor and Trump’s former rival for the Republican presidential nomination, Ron DeSantis, contributed a call to action and an inquiry into the southern border crisis.
“Essentia is a lab-shepherd mix who was rescued from the southern border, where the border crisis affects everyone, even our canine friends.” DeSantis tweeted. “Please consider giving Essentia a great home by adopting her from Big Dog Ranch Rescue.”
