“The Gravel Pit Bombshell: Kristi Noem Admitted Killing Her Dog & Goat — Why Everyone Is Furious Right Now”
According to Noem, Cricket had proven “untrainable” and “dangerous,” exhibiting aggressive behavior during a pheasant hunting trip. The young dog, full of unbridled energy, chased birds wildly, then attacked a neighbor’s chickens, killing several, and even turned to bite Noem when she tried to intervene.
Frustrated and deeming the dog a liability—especially around her young children—Noem led Cricket to a gravel pit on her property and shot her. “It was not a pleasant job,” she later reflected in the book, framing the act as a necessary, if messy, part of farm life. But she didn’t stop there; on the same day, she also killed a goat she described as “nasty and mean,” which had a habit of chasing her kids and smelling foul. The goat jumped during the first shot, requiring a second to finish the job
The story spread like wildfire across social media, news outlets, and late-night talk shows, igniting outrage from animal lovers, political opponents, and even some within her own party. Democrats pounced, with figures like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Congressman Jared Moskowitz sharing photos of their own pets in mocking solidarity, while the Democratic National Committee quipped, “If you want elected officials who don’t brag about brutally killing their pets… vote Democrat.”
Even Republicans expressed discomfort; potential rivals like Ron DeSantis and Kari Lake stayed notably quiet, while others whispered that the anecdote made Noem seem tone-deaf in an era where Americans increasingly view pets as family members.The backlash wasn’t just partisan—it crossed ideological lines and tapped into broader cultural shifts. Animal welfare experts and rural residents alike disputed Noem’s portrayal of the incident as a standard “reality of rural life.”
Dog trainers pointed out that a 14-month-old puppy like Cricket was still in its formative stages, and alternatives like rehoming, professional training, or behavioral intervention were readily available. “As a rural dog owner, I know Noem’s story doesn’t add up,” one expert noted, highlighting how attitudes toward companion animals have evolved over the past two decades, with more emphasis on humane treatment and less tolerance for casual euthanasia.
Humane organizations condemned the act, and social media erupted with memes, petitions, and calls for boycotts, some even dubbing Noem “Puppy Killer” in viral hashtags.Noem’s response only fueled the flames. In a series of social media posts and interviews, she defended the decision, insisting it was a 20-year-old story meant to illustrate the harsh choices faced by farmers and ranchers.
“I hated that dog,” she wrote unapologetically in the book, adding that Cricket was “less than worthless” as a hunting companion.
She doubled down by suggesting critics didn’t understand rural America, but this defense rang hollow to many, who saw it as a miscalculation in her bid to appeal to Trump’s base. Even more eyebrow-raising was a passage in the book where Noem seemed to threaten President Joe Biden’s dog, Commander, writing, “Commander, say hello to Cricket,” in reference to the German Shepherd’s biting incidents at the White House.
Polls showed a dip in her favorability, particularly among suburban voters and women, who make up key demographics in national elections. Animal rights groups like Best Friends Animal Society and the Humane Society amplified the story, using it to advocate for better protections against animal cruelty.
In Congress, the bipartisan Dog Lovers Caucus even weighed in, with members sharing photos of their pets in a lighthearted but pointed rebuke
