South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem faced a wave of backlash after revealing that she had euthanized her own family dog, Cricket, in 2019. Pictures of Noem's political journey and her controversial decision added fuel to the fire. Noem defended her actions by stating that the dog had been aggressive and had given no other options, arguing that she had prioritized the safety of her children. This explanation, however, drew criticism from various corners, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, questioning her choice to shoot the puppy rather than explore other alternative solutions. The South Dakota Animal Rescue emphasized that no dog is untrainable, implying that other measures could have been pursued.
As the situation unfolded, media outlets extensively covered Noem's response to the incident, showcasing her justifications and the subsequent public outrage. Noem's defense, including her portrayal of the difficult decision in her book, sparked a debate on whether such actions were forgivable. Amid the controversy, Noem's Vice Presidential odds dropped, with some questioning her ability to lead and make proper decisions. Noem faced ridicule at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. Various news outlets, including Rolling Stone, New York Post, and Raw Story, jump into analyzing and commenting on the situation from different perspectives, discussing the potential impact on her political career, as well as on Donald Trump's presidential ambitions. Noem's handling of the situation raised doubts about her judgment as a potential running mate.