Gov. Kristi Noem's Memoir Sparks Outrage and Condemnation

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is facing widespread criticism after an excerpt from her upcoming memoir revealed that she fatally shot her 14-month-old dog for being "untrainable."

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is embroiled in controversy following the release of an excerpt from her upcoming memoir, "No Going Back," in which she recounts fatally shooting her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, for being "untrainable."

According to the excerpt, published in The Guardian, Noem took Cricket to a "gravel pit" near her farm and shot her dead because she had "ruined" a pheasant hunt, going "out of her mind with excitement, chasing all those birds and having the time of her life."

Noem also stated that Cricket had gone missing and eaten several chickens on her farm.

The governor's decision to kill her dog has sparked a wave of outrage on social media, with many users expressing shock and condemnation.

"This is appalling and cruel," wrote one user on Twitter. "How can someone who claims to love animals do something so heartless?"

Conservative influencer duo The Hodge Twins remarked, "Telling everybody you shot your young dog and promoting your book at the same time? wtf, this is wild."

Popular pro-Trump account "Catturd" seemed to take the story personally, posting, "Omg - now my blood is boiling. Remember, I’m a country boy who lives on a ranch. There’s a huge difference between putting an old horse down who is suffering, than shooting a 18 month dog for being untrainable. But then to plug your book at the end."

New York Post columnist Miranda Devine commented, "No. Not normal. Shameful."

Noem has defended her actions, stating in her memoir that "it was not a pleasant job, but it had to be done." She also added that she had to euthanize a goat for being "nasty and mean."

In a post on the social media platform X, Noem admitted that "tough decisions like this happen all the time on a farm." She also plugged her book, stating, "If you want more real, honest, and politically incorrect stories that’ll have the media gasping, preorder ‘No Going Back.’"

Animal rights activists have denounced Noem's actions, calling them "barbaric" and "unconscionable." The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has stated that "euthanasia should only be used as a last resort when an animal is suffering from a terminal illness or severe injury."

The controversy has raised questions about Noem's fitness for office and her potential presidential aspirations. Some political analysts believe that the incident could damage her political career and make it difficult for her to win over voters in the 2024 election.

Noem's staff has stated that they have nothing further to add beyond the governor's initial response to The Guardian's post.