South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is under scrutiny following the release of excerpts from her upcoming book, 'No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.' In the book, Noem recounts the controversial incidents involving her pets, an unruly dog named Cricket and a smelly goat.
Noem describes how she was forced to euthanize Cricket, a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer she was training for hunting, after the dog exhibited aggressive behavior by attacking a family's chickens and even biting the governor herself. She also details the decision to put down a male goat that she deemed as 'nasty and mean.'
The revelations have sparked outrage on social media, with critics condemning Noem's actions as cruel and inhumane. President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign and conservative group The Lincoln Project have both weighed in on the controversy, highlighting the ethical concerns raised by the governor's narrative.
In response to the backlash, Noem defended her actions, stating that tough decisions are a reality on a farm and citing previous instances where animals had to be euthanized. She encouraged readers to pre-order her book for more candid and politically incorrect stories.
This is not the first time Noem has faced national attention for her actions. In the past, she garnered headlines for her state's anti-meth campaign and a video praising cosmetic dentists in Texas.
The controversy surrounding Noem's book comes at a critical time as she is considered a potential running mate for presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. While some view the revelations as a testament to her resilience, others see it as a distraction that could impact her political standing.
As the public debate continues, Noem's portrayal of the events in her book raises questions about ethics, animal welfare, and political optics.
