Kristi Noem Doubles Down on Killing Her ‘Less than Worthless’ Hunting Puppy: ‘I Decided What I Did’

The South Dakota governor, who is on Trump’s running mate shortlist, earned widespread criticism after writing in a memoir that she once shot and killed her “untrainable” dog in a gravel pit

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is defending her decision to kill a puppy after first detailing the story in her forthcoming book.

Noem, 52, wrote a lengthy post on X that explained why she decided to shoot her dog, Cricket, whom she described as "untrainable" and “less than worthless as a hunting dog," in an excerpt published on The Guardian.

“I can understand why some people are upset about a 20 year old story of Cricket, one of the working dogs at our ranch, in my upcoming book — No Going Back,” she wrote on X on April 28. “The book is filled with many honest stories of my life, good and bad days, challenges, painful decisions, and lessons learned.”

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She continued that she’s learned through her “years of public service, especially leading South Dakota through COVID” that people want to be led by authentic individuals who aren't scared of challenges and take lessons from the past.

“My hope is anyone reading this book will have an understanding that I always work to make the best decisions I can for the people in my life,” she wrote.

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Noem, who is considered a top contender in Donald Trump's 2024 veepstakes, went on to say, “The fact is, South Dakota law states that dogs who attack and kill livestock can be put down. Given that Cricket had shown aggressive behavior toward people by biting them, I decided what I did.”

“Whether running the ranch or in politics, I have never passed on my responsibilities to anyone else to handle,” she said. “Even if it’s hard and painful. I followed the law and was being a responsible parent, dog owner, and neighbor.”

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She then concluded her post by stating how she wrote in her book that “it wasn't easy.”

“But often the easy way isn't the right way,” she added.

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On April 26, The Guardian released the controversial excerpt after obtaining a copy of Noem's book.

In the book, the governor reflected on previously being the owner of a 14-month-old female hunting dog called Cricket, whom she described as having an “aggressive personality."

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The excerpt revealed that while on a hunting trip, the dog refused to listen to Noem’s commands and had “the time of her life” chasing after birds.

She also claimed that while returning home they visited locals who had chickens, resulting in Cricket attacking and killing the chickens before Noem could control the dog.

The Guardian added that after Noem paid for the chickens Cricket killed, she "realized I had to put her down.”

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Shortly after the excerpt was first published, Noem took to X to say, "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."

She added that her book will be full of other "politically INcorrect" stories.

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