Kristi Noem dog headlines took over national media after South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem admitted in her upcoming memoir that she had euthanized her 14-month-old dog, Cricket. What followed was an avalanche of public outrage, political scrutiny, and shifting support among her voter base — all in the midst of rumors about her potential 2025 vice-presidential ambitions.
What Happened: The Memoir Excerpt That Sparked Outrage
The controversy originated from Noem’s new memoir, “No Going Back”, in which she recounted shooting her young wire-haired pointer, Cricket. According to her account, the dog had been “untrainable” and “dangerous” to livestock. She also claimed Cricket had attacked a neighbor’s chickens.
The incident, which Noem wrote as a testament to her frontier values and decisiveness, backfired. Animal lovers, critics, and even conservatives denounced the decision as callous and politically tone-deaf.
Public & Political Reactions
Reactions to the memoir’s revelations were swift and fierce:
- Animal rights groups called for investigations into possible abuse.
- Political opponents used the event to question her judgment and temperament.
- Online backlash on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit labeled the move as “career-ending.”
Hashtags like #CricketDeservedBetter and #KristiNoMore began trending within hours of the news going viral.
Fallout on Noem’s Political Future
Noem was once considered a rising GOP star, particularly for her alignment with Trump-era policies and her tough stance on pandemic mandates. However, the dog incident may have permanently dented her public image.
Recent polls showed a 15% drop in her favorability rating among Republican primary voters in key swing states. Sources close to the RNC noted that internal discussions about pairing her with Trump for a 2025 ticket have cooled significantly.
Media Coverage & Narrative War
Major outlets including Fox News, CNN, and The New York Times gave front-page attention to the story. While some conservative media tried to spin the event as a “rancher’s hard choice,” others couldn’t look past the graphic nature of the act and its tone in the memoir.
Noem appeared on several interviews attempting damage control, but many critics say her explanations lacked empathy or awareness of how pet ownership is perceived in American households.
Ethical Debate: Euthanasia vs. Execution
This event has also sparked debate among rural communities and dog trainers:
- Some support her decision, citing that a dog endangering livestock can be a legitimate reason for euthanasia.
- Others argue that modern training methods could have saved the dog or that surrendering it to a shelter would have been more humane.
The nuance in this debate gets lost in political warfare, making it harder for the governor to reclaim control of the narrative.
Timeline of Key Events
- June 1, 2025: Excerpt leaks online.
- June 2: Animal rights groups issue formal statements.
- June 3: Multiple GOP figures distance themselves from Noem.
- June 5: First wave of polls show significant dip in approval.
- June 6: National news coverage peaks with front-page stories.
Voter Sentiment Going Into 2025
In a 2025 campaign environment where emotional appeal and relatability play a significant role, the Kristi Noem dog controversy could become a lasting stain on her brand. While some rural and ultra-conservative voters may overlook the incident, suburban and independent voters appear to be recoiling.