Trump VP candidate Kristi Noem defends killing a dog on a family farm

Kristi Noem, a contender to become Republican Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, defended herself Friday against Democratic attacks over her story about the shooting of a dog on her family farm.

Noem, the governor of South Dakota, describes killing an “untrainable” dog named Cricket, which she “hated” in a forthcoming memoir, excerpts of which were first published by The Guardian on Friday. She also said she shot a goat.

Noem said the dog ruined a hunt and later attacked chickens owned by a local family, acting like a “trained assassin” and being “dangerous to anyone she came into contact with.”

“I realized I had to put her to sleep,” Noem wrote.

The Democratic National Committee seized on the clips, calling them “horrific” and “disturbing,” and tried to make a 2024 election argument about shooting the animals.

“If you want elected officials who don’t brag about brutally murdering their pets as part of their self-promotional book tour, listen to our owners — and vote Democrat,” the DNC said in a statement, giving voice to the dogs.

In response to X, Noem said, “We love animals, but on a farm, tough decisions like this happen all the time. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago we had to put down three horses that had been in our family for 25 years.”

Noem is on a list of candidates Trump considers as his vice presidential running mate, Trump’s friends and allies told Reuters. Trump faces a November 5 general election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.

Colleen O’Brien, senior director at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), denounced Noem’s decision to kill the dog.

She criticized Noem for “letting this rambunctious puppy loose on chickens and then punishing her by deciding to personally blow her brains out rather than trying to train her or find a more responsible guardian who would give her a good home.” ‘

(Reuters)