Noem defends puppy euthanasia as mark of political prowess amid VP bid

Republican Governor of South Dakota Kristi Noem attempted on Sunday to transform a contentious account about killing her puppy into an argument in favor of her political acumen while vying for Donald Trump’s vice presidential nomination. In excerpts from her forthcoming memoir published by The Guardian, she recounted how as a 20-year-old farmhand, she put down various animals including Cricket, a 14-month-old puppy and an unnamed goat. “I understand why some people are upset about my story of Cricket from over twenty years ago,” Noem said in an X post on Sunday. “Whether running the ranch or holding public office, I have never shirked responsibility for difficult decisions that must be made.” The governor has stood by her decision to euthanize both animals, describing Cricket as having a “hostile personality” and the goat as being “nasty and mean,” according to The Guardian report. Noem’s defense comes at a time when she is competing for Trump’s VP nomination against other contenders such as North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, and Rep. Elise Stefanik from New York. Since the controversy emerged last week, people across the political spectrum have taken to social media to comment on it. Right-wing personality Laura Loomer claimed that Noem’s anecdote would prevent her from being selected as vice president: “She can’t be VP now,” she wrote in a post. Joe Biden’s reelection campaign quickly joined the discussion by publishing photos of both the incumbent and his running mate, Kamala Harris, smiling with their dogs. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted about adopting rescue pets. This isn’t the first time that Noem has raised eyebrows in Washington: In March, she posted a promotional video for a Texas dentist while holding public office which appeared to be an endorsement of his business despite being governor at the same period..