Additional Coverage:
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently addressed the difficult decision to euthanize her dog, Cricket, a story detailed in her new memoir, No Going Back. In an interview, she emphasized her love for animals, stating the situation was “hard.”
Noem explained that the 14-month-old pointer was “actively killing animals for fun,” including chickens, and had become aggressive towards her. Citing the safety of children who frequented her hunting lodge, Noem said she felt responsible for addressing the dangerous situation.
The incident, as described in her book, drew criticism, particularly her description of Cricket as “untrainable” and “less than worthless.” Noem also recounted shooting a billy goat she deemed a threat to children at the lodge.
The animated series South Park satirized the incident, depicting Noem shooting a puppy in a pet store. Although the show initially changed its social media profile pictures to a melting image of Noem, it later reverted to its previous image.