Noem defends killing dog, addresses false anecdote

WASHINGTON − South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem in a new interview defended her decision to kill her dog Cricket, saying that it was a dangerous animal and that she was protecting her children.

Her comments come after excerpts from her upcoming memoir, “No Going Back,” were published by The Guardian last month and detailed her decision to shoot the 14-month-old wirehaired pointer. She quickly received backlash from prominent figures on both sides of the aisle.

“This book is filled with vulnerable, painful moments in my life, filled with times where I’ve made very difficult decisions. The reason that this story is in the book because people need to understand who I am and some of those difficult decisions,” she said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

“This was a dangerous animal that was killing livestock and attacking people. And I had little children at the time. Our operation had many kids running around and people in interaction with the public. And I made a difficult choice.”

Noem, who long has been floated as a possible running mate for former President Donald Trump, also came under fire after it was revealed that her book included a false anecdote about a meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un while she served as her state’s representative in Congress. Her spokesperson appeared to confirm the inaccuracy to multiple outlets and said the book will be updated to remove it.

When asked on “Face the Nation” whether she did meet Kim, Noem confirmed her team has made edits to the book.

“So you did not meet with Kim Jong Un? That’s what you’re saying,” host Margaret Brennan pressed.

“No, I’ve met with many, many world leaders, many world leaders. I’ve traveled around the world, I think I’ve talked extensively in this book about my time serving in Congress, my time as governor, before governor, some of the travels that I’ve had. I’m not going to talk about my specific meetings with world leaders. I’m just not going to do that,” Noem said.

Noem’s memoir is set to be released Tuesday.

JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaking before introducing former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a South Dakota Republican party rally in Rapid City, S.D. on Sept. 8, 2023, is defending her decision to put down her dog.