Kristi Noem’s revelation about deliberately euthanizing her pet dog Cricket has sparked controversy and criticism, potentially complicating her prospects as a vice presidential candidate.
In her forthcoming book, Noem portrays Cricket as “untrainable” and “dangerous,” citing an incident where the dog attacked a family’s chickens, leading to its execution.
Critics argue that the responsibility for Cricket’s behavior lies with Noem, emphasizing that training a young hunting dog requires patience, guidance, and discipline from the owner.
Governor Kristi Noem (Credits: The Nation)
Dan Lussen, a professional hunting dog trainer, emphasized that at 14 months old, Cricket was still a “baby” and blamed Noem’s lack of proper training and guidance for the dog’s actions.
Noem’s controversial record as governor of South Dakota adds further scrutiny to her candidacy. She has faced criticism for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a high number of cases in the state, as well as her contentious relationship with Native tribes, including being banned from certain reservations due to her racist assertions.
Governor Kristi Noem (Credits: The Daily Beast)
Despite potential backlash, Noem’s attitude towards canines may align with Trump’s own sentiments. Trump has a history of derogatory remarks about dogs, often using the term as an insult for his opponents. Additionally, he famously avoided having a pet dog during his presidency, suggesting that it would seem “phony” to him.
As Noem’s vice presidential aspirations continue to reveal, her handling of the Cricket incident and her broader record as governor will likely come under increased scrutiny, potentially influencing her political future.
