Kristi Noem, a leading contender to be Donald Trump's runningmate in the upcoming presidential election, has made headlines with revelations from her new book, "No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward." In an excerpt obtained by The Guardian, the South Dakota governor details the difficult decision to euthanize her dog Cricket and a male goat owned by her family. 

Personal Account on Killing Own Animals

In the book, Noem recounts the events surrounding Cricket, a wirehaired pointer she describes as having an 'aggressive personality.' Noem took Cricket on a pheasant hunt with older dogs, hoping to calm her and teach her proper behavior. However, Cricket became overly excited, disrupting the hunt by chasing birds recklessly. Noem tried to control Cricket using an electronic collar but had no success. After the hunt, as Noem stopped to speak with a local family, Cricket escaped from the truck and attacked their chickens, killing them one by one in a frenzy.

After finally seizing Cricket, Noem recounts that the dog attempted to bite her. As the owner of the chickens wept, Noem apologized repeatedly and compensated the family, helping them dispose of the carcasses left behind.

Noem admitted to harboring intense dislike toward Cricket, describing her as untrainable, dangerous, and worthless as a hunting dog. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Noem concluded that she had no choice but to put the dog down. Armed with her gun, she led Cricket to a gravel pit, acknowledging the unpleasantness of the task but understanding its necessity.

In addition to the story of Cricket, Noem shares an account involving a male goat owned by her family, whom she describes as aggressive and unpleasant. The goat's behavior was attributed to not being castrated. Noem also notes that the goat emitted a foul odor described as 'disgusting, musky, rancid.' Furthermore, the goat tended to chase her children, causing them to fall and ruining their clothing. Noem recounts her decision to kill the goat after attempts to restrain its behavior proved unsuccessful.

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Controversies and Ethical Debates

Controversies surrounding politicians and their pets are not new. In 1952, Republican vice-presidential candidate Richard Nixon received criticism for accepting a dog as a political gift. Another Republican candidate faced backlash for putting his dog on the car roof during a family cross-country trip.

The disclosure of these incidents has sparked conversations about the ethical considerations related to animal treatment and the dilemmas encountered by people in rural areas who must navigate tough choices regarding animal welfare.

The account of Cricket's behavior and subsequent killing has sparked a mix of reactions, ranging from empathy for Noem's difficult decision to criticism of her actions. Dog lovers and individuals familiar with hunting dogs have expressed dismay at the outcome. In contrast, others have defended Noem's decision as a necessary response to a dangerous situation. 

Tommy Vietor, a former adviser to Barack Obama who now hosts a podcast, described Governor Noem as Jeffrey Dahmer with veneers, referencing the infamous serial killer and the recent scandal involving her cosmetic dentistry.

Rick Wilson, associated with the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, condemned Noem as intentionally cruel and described her as trash. Ryan Busse, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate from Montana, expressed strong condemnation, stating that anyone familiar with bird dogs would find her actions disgusting, lazy, and morally wrong.

Responding to the criticism, Noem defended her actions through an X post with a screenshot of The Guardian article. She stated that tough decisions like these are a reality of farm life and revealed having recently put down three horses. She hinted at additional controversial stories in her book, claiming they would shock the media.

Governor Noem is among several Republicans frequently mentioned as potential vice-presidential candidates for Donald Trump. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, she shared the top spot with Vivek Ramaswamy in a poll asking attendees who they preferred as Trump's running mate.

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