South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem — a potential running mate for presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump — is getting attention again.

The Guardian obtained a copy of Noem’s soon-to-be released book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.” In it, she tells the story of the ill-fated Cricket, a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer she was training for pheasant hunting.

On the way home from the hunting trip, Noem writes that she stopped to talk to a family. Cricket got out of Noem’s truck and attacked and killed some of the family’s chickens, then bit the governor.

“At that moment,” Noem writes, “I realized I had to put her down.” She led Cricket to a gravel pit and killed her.

She writes, according to the Guardian, that the tale was included to show her willingness to do anything “difficult, messy and ugly” if it has to be done. But backlash was swift against the Republican governor, who just a month ago drew attention and criticism for posting an infomercial-like video about cosmetic dental surgery she received out-of-state.

  • @Callmesuperman
    11•7 months ago

    I think it’s the smothering that’s bringing in the downvotes. A shot to the back of the head would have been more humane.

    • Flying Squid
      5•7 months ago

      Oh shit, I just re-read it. I think I misread ‘smothering’ as ‘stroking’ and thought he just let the dog die of a Xanax OD. I wouldn’t call that the most sensible way to euthanize a dog, but I doubt it would have been too terrible as a way to go out. But to smother it as well? Never mind, shame on OP.

      • @CrackhappyEnglish
        -3•7 months ago

        He was entirely insensate, and was effectively sedated. I don’t own a gun, and gently smothering him was the only thing I could think to do without causing pain. I’m sorry you feel that way.

        • Flying Squid
          6•7 months ago

          You don’t know that you didn’t cause him any pain just because he appeared to be sedated enough.

        • @breadsmasherEnglish
          4•7 months ago

          Absolute psychopathic behaviour.

          “Ooo cant let the vets put sCaRy ChEmiCaLs into my literally dying dog. ill just SMOTHER HIM TO DEATH. Thats a much better way to go.”

          edit. Also, “strange chemicals” and then gives his dog xanax. Dude. Really. You swapped chemical A for chemical B. Crazy mental gymnastics.