Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, a potential running mate for Donald Trump in the upcoming election, has faced criticism after revealing in her upcoming book that she killed an “untrainable” dog and a goat on her farm. The 52-year-old conservative politician has been known for her contrarian views and staunch conservatism, making headlines for refusing to wear a face mask during the pandemic, supporting restrictive anti-abortion laws, and championing gun rights. Her controversial views on LGBTQ+ rights have also drawn criticism.
In her book titled “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward,” Noem recounts the story of shooting her aggressive dog Cricket and an unruly goat on her farm. She describes the dog as untrainable and dangerous, and the goat as nasty and mean.
The revelations have sparked outrage from animal rights activists and critics who have condemned Noem for bragging about killing animals in cold blood. Former Trump staffer Sarah Matthews and the Democratic party have both spoken out against Noem’s actions, calling them cruel and unnecessary.
Despite the backlash, Noem has defended her actions, stating that making tough decisions like these is a part of life on a farm. However, the controversy surrounding her book has put her potential vice presidential candidacy in question and raised concerns about her judgment and character.