Copyright 2024 Patriot Mom Digest
In a striking revelation from her upcoming book, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has admitted to putting down a dangerous dog.
Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota and a potential candidate for Republican vice presidency, is at the center of a controversial disclosure from her forthcoming book titled "No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong With Politics and How We Move America Forward." Set to be released next month, this book gives an unflinching look into Noem's personal and political beliefs.
In the book, an advanced copy of which was obtained by The Guardian last week, Noem recounts her decision to shoot her 14-month-old wirehair pointer, Cricket, and an unruly goat.
The dog had proven "untrainable" for hunting and became a liability after killing a neighbor’s chickens.
Noem’s actions, although drastic, are framed within the context of local laws. According to SDCL 40-34-1, it is permissible under specific conditions to euthanize a dog found harming livestock or poultry. However, the act should not take place on the owner's premises, which complicates Noem's scenario, as she admitted to shooting the dog on her property.
This apparent breach could have legal implications, reflecting two conflicting statutes. South Dakota law (SDCL 40-34-2) also states that a dog’s owner can face a class two misdemeanor if their pet injures or kills domestic animals or poultry, placing additional legal burden on the owner.
Noem openly acknowledged compensating the chickens' owners, an action that aligns with her admission of the likelihood of legal repercussions due to her decision. This story reportedly occurred around 2004, long before her political career took flight, which adds layers of personal and professional evolution to the narrative.
In her book, Noem did not mince words about her experience, stating, "I hated that dog," a blunt admission that underscores her frustration after Cricket’s aggressive behaviors, which also included biting people. These complications propelled her difficult decision to euthanize the dog, a choice she reflects on with a mix of regret and inevitability.
"I guess if I were a better politician I wouldn’t tell the story here," Noem muses in her narrative, suggesting that her honesty might not align with typical political caution but is part of a broader intention to present unfiltered truths to her audience.
It’s part of her larger promise of delivering “more real, honest and politically incorrect stories that’ll have the media gasping,” as she prepares to share her perspectives on politics and policy frankly and unapologetically.
The divulgence of these past actions has sparked significant discussion about what is acceptable behavior from public figures, both past and present. Ian Fury, Noem’s communications chief, has defended her actions by directing critics towards specific South Dakota legal statutes, which illustrate the legal grounds Noem might lean on to justify her decisions at that time.
Noem herself acknowledges the sensitivity surrounding her decision, especially given the timing of her recount. “I understand why some people are upset about a 20-year-old story of Cricket,” she said, indicating her awareness of the complicated feelings her revelations may evoke.
Adding to the complexity is the update to South Dakota's laws, where animal cruelty became classified as a felony in 2014, a decade after the incidents involving Noem’s pets. This underscores a shift in the legal and ethical landscape regarding animal treatment that might not align with past attitudes.
This episode from Governor Noem’s past, disclosed on her terms through her autobiography, provides an intriguing insight into the personal challenges and decisions that mark the lives of public figures. It also raises questions about the evolution of societal and legal standards concerning our interactions with animals. As society continues to reevaluate past norms and legal frameworks, the reactions and discussions precipitated by Noem’s book likely reflect broader shifts in American political and ethical landscapes.