South Dakota Governor and Republican vice-presidential hopeful Kristi Noem has sparked controversy once again after defending her decision to shoot and kill a 14-month-old dog named Cricket. Noem asked the American public to consider the difficult choice she faced, saying, “make a choice between your children or a dangerous animal.”
In an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation, Noem explained that she had put months of training into the dog, but it had become unmanageable and had even attacked her and others. She reiterated that she had to make a tough decision to protect her family and others from potential harm.
Critics have raised concerns about Noem’s actions, pointing out that she may have violated state laws by failing to control Cricket and killing the animal on her own property. Animal rights advocates have also questioned her decision not to surrender the dog to an animal shelter before resorting to lethal measures.
In a surprising revelation, Noem admitted to shooting another animal on the same day as Cricket – an un-castrated goat that was causing trouble on her farm. She defended her actions, stating that tough decisions are sometimes necessary to protect people.
Noem’s controversial actions and justifications come at a time when her chances of being chosen as Donald Trump’s running mate in the upcoming presidential election seem slim. Despite the backlash, Noem remains steadfast in her defense of her actions, insisting that she had to make difficult decisions to ensure the safety of her family and community.