Dems, GOP bash Kristi Noem for shooting her dog

Both Democrats and Republicans are piling on after South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem revealed in her upcoming memoir that she shot and killed her 14-month-old puppy named Cricket over the dog’s alleged misbehavior.

The mother of three and former congresswoman has seen her political cachet rise in recent years and was reportedly one of the top contenders to become Donald Trump’s running mate in 2024. But if the gruesome story, first reported by The Guardian’s Martin Pengellygathered steam on Friday, as did questions about Noem’s chances for the vice presidency.

In her new memoir, Noem writes that she tried unsuccessfully to channel Cricket’s puppy energy into pheasant hunting. Instead, Cricket “went crazy with excitement, chasing all those birds and having the time of her life.” On the way home from the hunt, Noem writes, the dog escaped from her truck and attacked a local family’s chickens, acting “like an untrainable killer.”

Noem says she led the wirehaired pointer to a gravel pit and took its own life.

“We love animals, but on a farm these kinds of difficult decisions happen all the time,” Noem tweeted after the story had already gone viral.

According to The Guardian, Noem told the creepy story to illustrate her willingness to do “difficult, messy and ugly” things when necessary. Instead, the story has sparked opposition from both Republicans and Democrats.

“Post a picture with your dog without shooting him and throwing him in a gravel pit,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Next to it was a photo of Walz giving his dog a treat.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also responded with photos of their beloved pets.

“Ready for the weekend,” he joked Biden-Harris campaign accountnext to photos of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris happily playing with their dogs.

“ACT NOW!” Rep. Jared Moscowwitz (D-Fla.) wrote on X alongside an infomercial-style video commemorating Cricket. “For just $0.10 a day you can help us save Kristi Noem’s puppy.”

MAGA media personality and Trump ally Laura Loomer issued even harsher criticism, saying the ugly chapter disqualifies Noem’s vice presidential chances.

‘She can’t be vice president now’ Loomer tweeted. “You can’t shoot your dog and be VP.”

Meanwhile, the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump PAC founded by former members of the Republican Party, has posted a video himselfcomplete with a hashtag, #Justice4Cricket.

“Dog owners know that our furry friends can be a lot to keep track of. But when those tough moments come, you have options,” the video said. “Shooting your dog in the face should not be part of that. And if you do shoot your dog in the face, please don’t write about it in your autobiography.”

Florida Governor and former Trump rival for the Republican presidential nomination Ron DeSantis intervened with a call for action — and an investigation into the crisis at the southern border.

“Essentia is a lab-shepherd mix who was rescued from the southern border, where the border crisis is affecting everyone – even our canine friends,” DeSantis tweeted. “Please consider giving Essentia a great home by adopting her from Big Dog Ranch Rescue.”