The Guardian obtained a copy of Noem’s soon-to-be released book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.” In it, she tells the story of the ill-fated Cricket, a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer she was training for pheasant hunting.

On the way home from the hunting trip, Noem writes that she stopped to talk to a family. Cricket got out of Noem’s truck and attacked and killed some of the family’s chickens, then bit the governor.

“At that moment,” Noem writes, “I realized I had to put her down.” She led Cricket to a gravel pit and killed her.

She writes, according to the Guardian, that the tale was included to show her willingness to do anything “difficult, messy and ugly” if it has to be done. But backlash was swift against the Republican governor, who just a month ago drew attention and criticism for posting an infomercial-like video about cosmetic dental surgery she received out-of-state.

  • @FiniteBanjo
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    23 days ago

    Shelters overflow with these animals in the USA. I doubt that they would accept this animal at a no-kill, it bit a person. I think the choice she made at the end minimized harm and suffering for the dog and others.

    • They would! Poorly trained hunting dogs nipping or biting while in prey-drive is also incredibly common. I have seen this exact story play it with a Brittany Spaniel, rescue and no kills would take this 2 year old, put it in a very brief bite quarantine, then train it.

      Like it’s a story that rescues and shelters hear all the time! Especially in heavy hunting areas