Target: Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota
Goal: Take responsibility for the fatal shooting of puppy.
When South Dakota governor Kristi Noem released a new memoir, it was not descriptions of her political career that drew the most attention. Instead, critics—and animal rights advocates—have zeroed in on a passage in which Noem describes killing her pet puppy roughly two decades ago. The dog, a wirehair pointer named Cricket, was only 14 months old when Noem claims she “put her down” by shooting her.
In the book, Noem describes Cricket as “untrainable” and “worthless as a hunting dog.” She also says of the puppy: “I hated that dog.” Noem defended the shooting by claiming that Cricket had “disrupted” a pheasant hunt and had also attacked chickens on a farm.
Critics condemned the callous way Noem described the incident and categorized her actions against a puppy that was still in her developmental stages as horrifying overreach. For example, Noem described the hunt that helped solidify her decision to shoot the puppy in the following terms: “she went out of her mind with excitement, chasing all those birds and having the time of her life.” These actions sound like typical behavior for a young dog…a dog that was too young to even be trained for hunting purposes.
On the same day that Noem shot Cricket and disposed of her in a gravel pit, she reports that she also shot to death a goat under her care. And, according to Noem’s own account, this goat likely suffered. It was shot once, and when Noem left to retrieve more bullets, the goat was shot again. Animal welfare activists, and even many hunters, have placed the blame for the Cricket shooting on Noem for failing to train her dog properly and then making the animal pay the ultimate price for it. Recent South Dakota law even suggests Noem may have committed an offense.
Despite the protests and the outcry, Noem continues to defend her actions and use this horrible account to score political points. Sign the petition below to demand a public apology from this unapologetic politician.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor Noem,
America’s preeminent animal welfare organization condemned you for “letting this rambunctious puppy loose on chickens and then punishing her by deciding to personally blow her brains out rather than attempting to train her or find a more responsible guardian who could provide her with a proper home.” They went on to say, “Noem obviously fails to understand the vital political concepts of education, cooperation, compromise, and compassion.”
Lest you dismiss these criticisms of your puppy shooting as the agenda of “woke” or “extremist” leaders and political opponents, the outcry from a wide spectrum of Americans on social media has been far greater (as #PuppyKiller demonstrates). Hunters, and your own political allies, have weighed in on your seemingly disturbing actions. As a politician and, more importantly, as a human being, you must recognize the gravity of your actions against another living being.
Please reflect on your behavior, demonstrate genuine remorse via a public apology, and show through your actions that you care about all living beings by helping strengthen South Dakota’s animal welfare laws.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Office of the Governor
Why isnt this petition for her to be thrown in jail…
Public apologies are BS!!!!
I too, could give two shits about her apology to the public, she needs to spend time in prison, and shouldn’t be in the position she is either.
Absolutely what is an apology going to do? Jail time set an example out of this crazed woman.
YES!!! SHE DESERVES TO BE IN JAIL!!! AND REMOVED PERMANENTLY FROM HER SEAT! AS A FORMER REPUBLICAN I AM DISGUSTED WITH HER.
I agree
VERYE TRUE. SHE SHOULD BE IN A WOMEN CONTEST OF MISS USA AND NOT A GOVERNOR.
Evil, vile, subhuman filth deserves to be shot, suffer in agony and to be shot again! BITCH! Scumbag! I want her to suffer the way those precious innocent defenseless animals suffered. REPUGNANT.
THROW HER SORRY ASS IN JAIL
INDEED. 100% AGREE WITH THIS.
THROW HER SORRY ASS IN JAIL
This is just another example of the politicians that are running this country that have no regard for animals or lives of others. They only care about themselves and are uncaring, unfeeling and do terrible things to animals as well as other people. People that they are supposed to be representing but don’t — they have no regard for anyone but themselves. This puppy did not deserve this. Shame on her for not training the puppy (how can you hate a 14 month old puppy????). Disgusting — at least take it to a shelter. Also, what could the poor goat have done to this woman?
This is WHY I prefer animals over humans. Humans are evil. (Not all humans.) She should NOT be in office. She should NOT be anywhere allowed around any animals period. And a LIFE for a LIFE. She should have to give hers up!
Clearly SHE ENOYED IT. ….because if it was so dire that she thought the puppy was untrainable(which is a crock..ask any trainer) why not EUTHANIZE ….clearly had the money!!!
SHE JUST ENJOYED KILLING ALL THOSE LITTLE ANIMALS!!!!
…AND SO SHE SHOULD BE JAILED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!!!
I don’t know anything else about her except what has been in the news. It is enough to tell me she is a “WORTHLESS BITCH”! To do what she did, the way in which she did it & to both the puppy & goat is not coil. For all we know she has murdered other animals. KARMA WILL FIND HER!!!
This DUMB, DEMONIC, BIT*H NEEDS TO “PUT DOWN “, TOO!!
DUMB DUMBER DUMBST.
Cruel and heartbreaking. Bless that poor puppy’s soul. I wish I lived in this Goveners state so I could vote against this idiot.
No apology can ever be accepted for this cruel inhumane behavior. This puppy was a puppy for SHITS SAKE!!! This woman needs punishment with jail time, heavy fines, never to own any animal or be around!!! She deserves same treatment any citizen deserves. for her make her suffer she clearly enjoyed her horrific actions! Who or what will suffer in the future from her evil hands with a gun??? What if a child isn’t acting she thinks it should be?
She is a horrifying woman. Despicable and disgusting. Who knows how many other animals she’s abused and killed. She is not right in the head and evil.
Evil bitch, I just wish I could witness Karma hitting her big time.
She should be reprimanded so others don’t follow her abusive lead. She could’ve easily rehomed the puppy or find a proper trainer – no dog is untrainable.
Because who you vote for and never vote politicians who inspire hate, fear, and those who are trying to limit education.
creep.
She should not be in office. She should be in jail. Bitch!
Goodness – you Americans certainly know how to choose your politicians, don’t you?!!! Why can’t you find decent human beings to run your country?
This lady should be euthanized.
Shame on her. How disgusting! She must be real proud of herself!,,
Apparently this psycho freak also states that by killing this puppy it shows that she is capable of doing horrible things when necessary. God save America and animal rights if this killer is what people get representing them in higher office!
This vile, mentally deranged, dog killing bitch requires instigation of the death penalty!
another subhuman amongst all the others who torture and kill animals for their sadistic pleasure and that is the soulless hunting community. A devious cult who takes great pleasure in killing the innocent. I bet not a single other subhuman from South Dakota has the guts to get up and do something against this bitch. I would be so ashamed to tell anyone that I am from South Dakota. All of bunch of ignorant misfits and inbreds. They are probably all applauding her what she has done. She is a serial killer, like a serial murderer or rapist or child molester all along the same lines. These people dont have a soul, no compassion for anything . She needs to be punished severely, and soon. She does not deserve to breathe another breath. Organize a hunt to teach her a lesson. What man would ever want to be involved with a heartless bitch like she is.