Kristi Noem's memoir uproar: From dog murder to political controversy
28 April 2024 16:49
The Governor of South Dakota and potential vice presidential candidate, Kristi Noem, usually tries to maintain a positive image. Did she just permanently ruin it? Her latest book, where she describes killing her own dog, which she claims she "hated" and considered "less than useless," has caused a total uproar.
The British newspaper "The Guardian" obtained access to the contents of the book by the well-known American politician, Kristi Noem, even before its May release. As it turns out, the autobiography of the potential vice presidential candidate is full of shocking stories that can shock, especially animal lovers.
She shot her dog and described it
The book includes, among other things, a detailed description of instances when the politician had to make difficult decisions regarding animals. One such story is the attempt to train her 14-month-old rough-coated pointer female, Cricket. Despite efforts, the dog behaved aggressively, thereby interfering with pheasant hunts and attacking the neighbours' chickens.
Ultimately, after an attack on another family member, the politician decided to shoot Cricket and then dragged the dog to a gravel pit.
"It wasn’t a pleasant job, but it had to be done," - writes Noem
Why did the politician mention this? Is it supposed to help her career? The shocking story is meant to show Kristi Noem's readiness to do everything "hard, sloppy, and ugly if necessary".
She killed not just a dog
The book also contains a story about a goat killed due to aggressive behaviour towards children and an unpleasant smell. The author explains that such decisions are an integral part of life on a farm, where difficult choices often have to be made.
Controversial sections of the book immediately sparked an uproar on social media.
Many sides have accused her of lacking empathy and responsibility for animals. In response, the politician defends her decisions, emphasising that love for animals does not exclude the necessity of making tough decisions. She adds that her family recently had to say goodbye to three ageing horses, which was also a painful but necessary choice.
Despite controversies, the book is meant to be an invitation to the author's world, where she presents more "real, sincere, and politically incorrect" stories. The politician invites readers to familiarise themselves with her full biography, promising an open look into her personal and professional life.
