Leading up to a new book release, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been in headlines for her decision to shoot a dog she deemed dangerous over two decades ago. This revelation has sparked strong reactions from both sides of the political aisle and has been used by media outlets to paint a negative picture of Noem. In a recent interview with Fox News’ “Hannity,” Noem defended her decision and called out the media for their coverage.
Noem’s forthcoming book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move American Forward,” delves into her experiences and decisions as a politician. In it, she recalls the story of shooting a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer named Cricket.
The dog had been given to her by previous owners who deemed it too aggressive. As Noem trained Cricket to be a hunting dog, the animal attacked her and other animals on the property. Noem ultimately made the decision to put the dog down to ensure the safety of her family and their livestock.
Noem: Well, you know, how the fake news works. They leave out some or most of the facts.. I hope people buy the book and they find out the truth of the story because the truth is that this was a working dog and it was not a puppy, pic.twitter.com/RGq2seJ6j6
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 2, 2024
In her interview with “Hannity,” Noem stood by her decision and condemned the media for blowing the story out of proportion. She criticized them for leaving out important details and spinning the story in a negative light. According to Noem, the truth of the situation was that Cricket was a working dog and not a puppy, as some news outlets had incorrectly reported.
The dog had a history of aggression and had already been given a second chance by being placed with Noem’s family. However, when it became clear that the dog would continue to be a threat to her family and their neighbors, Noem made the difficult decision to put the dog down.
In her book, Noem describes her experience of shooting Cricket as “not a pleasant job” but one that “had to be done.” She also wrote that she hated the dog and considered it “dangerous” and “less than worthless” as a hunting dog. Despite the backlash and criticism she has received, Noem stands by her decision, stating that she had to choose between the safety of her children and an animal with a history of attacking people and livestock. She wrote, “I chose my kids.”
Noem: Well, you know, how the fake news works. They leave out some or most of the facts.. I hope people buy the book and they find out the truth of the story because the truth is that this was a working dog and it was not a puppy, pic.twitter.com/RGq2seJ6j6
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 2, 2024
As the release of her book approaches, Noem continues to defend her actions and set the record straight. She recently shared a clip of her interview with “Hannity” on social media, urging people to not believe the “fake news media’s twisted spin” and explaining that the decision to shoot Cricket was a necessary one. “No Going Back” will be released on May 7th and will shed more light on the tough decisions and experiences that have shaped Noem’s political career.
Overall, the story of Cricket has been used as a tool by the media to portray Noem in a negative light and generate controversy. However, Noem stands by her decision and reminds readers that tough and challenging decisions are often required in leadership roles. She hopes that by sharing her story, people will see the truth and understand the reasoning behind her actions.