South Dakota's defiant Governor Kristi Noem hit back at her critics following outrage over her upcoming memoir in which she reveals she once killed a dog.
“I understand that some people are upset about the 20-year-old story of Cricket, one of the working dogs on the farm, in my recent book, No Going Back. It's full of honest stories from his life, the good days and the bad, the challenges, the tough decisions, and the lessons learned,'' the Republican said in a social media post published on Sunday's X.
“As a matter of fact, South Dakota law states that any dog that attacks and kills livestock can be euthanized. Given that Cricket has shown aggressive behavior, including biting people, I am not sure what my actions are. “I decided,” Noem continued.
Outrage spread across social media platforms late last week after The Guardian reported excerpts from Noem's memoir, No Going Back, scheduled for release on May 7. In the excerpt, Noem describes taking in a 14-month-old female dog. She took her dog, Cricket, to a “gravel pit” near her farm and shot her dead because she was “of little value” and “untrainable” and because she had killed and eaten several chickens. did.
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She said crickets ruined her pheasant hunt when she was “going crazy with excitement, chasing birds and having the time of my life.”
“It wasn't a fun job, but I had to do it, and after it was done, I realized I had to do another unpleasant job,” she continued. In her book, Noem also describes killing a “mean and mean” goat at the same gravel pit, according to the report.
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The report drew backlash online from Democrats and conservatives who appeared shocked and outraged by the dog's killing.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack/File)
“Oh, my blood is already boiling. Remember, I'm a redneck who lives on a ranch. I've killed old horses that are suffering and are 18 months old because they can't be trained.” There's a big difference between shooting a dog. But then plug it at the end of the book,” tweeted Catturd, a popular Conservative X account.
“Really, is it just me? I'm speechless,” he added.
“No. It's not normal. It's shameful,” said New York Post columnist Miranda Devine.
“Anyone who's ever had a bird dog knows how disgusting, lazy, and evil this is. Damn it,” Democratic Montana gubernatorial candidate said. Posted by Ryan Busse.
Noem has been floated as a running mate in former President Trump's effort to regain control of the White House in November. But critics speculate that the controversy surrounding the killing of her dog may have brought an end to her political career.
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Noem initially addressed the controversy on Friday, writing on X that her family loves animals but that “difficult decisions” are often made on farms.
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Governor Kristi Noem speaks at an election rally in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on November 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Stephen Groves)
“We love animals, but difficult decisions like this happen all the time on farms.Sadly, a few weeks ago we had to put down three horses that had been in our family for 25 years. ” she posted, encouraging people to buy. Her memoir is a collection of “true, honest, politically incorrect stories that will leave the media breathless.”
On Sunday, Noem said she doesn't shy away from making difficult decisions and believes “people want real leadership.”
“What I've learned over my years in public service, especially leading South Dakota through the coronavirus pandemic, is that people want leaders who are authentic, willing to learn from the past, and willing to take on difficult challenges. My hope is that people reading this will understand that I am always trying to make the best decisions for the people in my life. You can,” she said.
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“I have never shifted my responsibility to anyone else, whether it be ranching or politics, even if it was difficult and painful. I have followed the law and been a responsible parent, dog owner, and neighbor. As I explained in “It wasn't easy to read this book, but the easy way is often not the right way,'' she said.