In 1952, Richard Nixon caused a stir by accepting a dog, Checkers, as a political gift, while Mitt Romney faced backlash in 2012 for his treatment of Seamus, the family dog. Fast forward to 2024, and Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota and a prominent figure in Republican circles, finds herself embroiled in controversy of her own making. In her book, No Going Back, Noem revealed a shocking episode involving the demise of her own dog, Cricket, and an unnamed male goat.
Noem went on to recount the events with startling clarity. She described Cricket, a wirehair pointer, as having “an aggressive personality” and needing training for hunting pheasant. However, her efforts to tame the young dog ended in tragedy as Cricket’s exuberance during a hunt led to a fatal attack on a local family’s chickens. In her own words, Noem paints a vivid picture of the chaos: “Cricket… went ‘out of her mind with excitement, chasing all those birds and having the time of her life.'” Despite her attempts to control the situation, Cricket’s behavior spiraled out of control, resulting in a scene of carnage that left the chickens dead and the family devastated.
But the story doesn’t end there. Noem reveals her decision to shoot Cricket, describing the moment as “not a pleasant job” but one that “had to be done.” She framed her choice as difficult, but necessary, in the face of a dangerous and unmanageable dog. However, the revelation has sparked widespread condemnation, with critics branding her actions as cruel and heartless.
In the wake of the controversy, Noem faces a barrage of criticism from both political opponents and animal lovers alike. While she attempts to justify her actions as tough decisions required in farm life, the public outcry shows no signs of abating. Rick Wilson, of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, labeled Noem “deliberately cruel” and “trash,” while Ryan Busse, the Democratic candidate for governor of Montana, expressed disgust, stating: “Anyone who has ever owned a birddog knows how disgusting, lazy and evil this is. Damn.”
Despite the backlash, Noem remains defiant, promising more unfiltered truths in her book that are sure to shock and dismay. But as she reflects on her controversial anecdotes, one can’t help but wonder if some stories are better left untold.