I am trying to fact check the allegation circulating on social media platforms that Trump VP contender Kristi Noem shot her dog, Cricket (a 14-month-old wirehair pointer), in anger and not for the reasons stated in her book – No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward – which was allegedly published to allow Noem to present her side of the story as a pre-emptive measure to stop criticism of her in the run up to elections.
Update: there is no evidence to support the allegation that Noem shot her dog in a fit of anger. This is not saying it did not happen.
In addition to Cricket, Noem also shot an unnamed, un-castrated, and unruly goat because it butted her daughter. The goat had to be shot twice, with the second shotgun blast after Noem left the goat to fetch more shells from her truck.
The reasons she gave as to why she shot her young hunting dog was that:
- “I hated that dog”
- Cricket was a “trained assassin”
- She tried to bite her on one occasion
- She killed chickens and was “the picture of pure joy” during and after the attack
- She was “untrainable” and
- “dangerous to anyone she came in contact with”
- and “less than worthless as a hunting dog”
- She added that “It was not a pleasant job [to shot her],” she writes, “but it had to be done. And after it was over, I realised another unpleasant job needed to be done.”
- She further added that “I realised I had to put her down [after her unacceptable behavior].”
It appears that the story that she shot Cricket in anger originates in South Dakota Democratic Senate Minority Leader Reynold Nesiba who said the story has circulated for years among lawmakers that Noem killed a dog in a “fit of anger” and that there were witnesses. He speculated that it was coming out now because Noem is being vetted as a candidate for vice president.
After a careful search of the internet with the assistance of AI I could find no hard evidence that Noem shot her dog ‘in a fit of anger’. So it can’t be regarded as fact but as an opinion.
My opinion: It is perhaps logical to suggest that she was angry at the time she shot her dog. That would be a common sense belief and entirely plausible but it is no more than a belief at this stage and it does not mean she shot the dog because she was angry.
Communication with Mr Nesiba
I have emailed Mr Nesiba for some hard facts which support his assertion:
“Dear Mr Nesiba,
I am writing an article on fact checking whether there is good evidence that supports your assertion that Noem shot her dog in a fit of anger and not for the reasons she states. You have said that the story has circulated for years among lawmakers that Noem killed her dog in a “fit of anger” and that there were witnesses.
Can you help me by providing a little more detail to support your allegation? Some facts would help as at the moment it seems like it is a belief among some of your colleagues.
Thanks in advance and sorry for troubling you.
Best wishes”
If and when I receive a response I will update this page.
RELATED: Potential Trump VP Kristi Noem defends shooting her dog
Current response:
Thank you for taking the time to send me an email. The legislative session has begun and our inboxes are flooded with email every day. Please know that I read all of my email. I am not able to respond to every one, but will do my best.
I prioritize messages from constituents residing in District 15, then others in South Dakota. If your message is personal and you provide your name, address, and legislative district, I will do my best to reply. If you are writing about a bill, please provide the bill number and its subject matter.
It is an honor to serve as your state senator!
Reynold F. Nesiba
Senator, District 15
Senate Minority Leader
802 S Willow Ave,Sioux Falls, SD 57104
His prompt response to my request for more information:
Michael,
I was asked to comment on the rumor that was circulating. The rumor was that she shot a dog out of frustration and anger because it had killed some chickens.
However the rumor was circulating two years ago, shortly after her dog, Hazel, had an accident.
What happened to Hazel?
I do not have any direct knowledge of the event or even if it happened.
R-
Senate Minority Leader, Reynold Nesiba
Comment: My thanks to Mr Nesiba. It appears that the news media have misreported this. Plain got it wrong it seems to me.
Other issues
“Through my tenure on the House Armed Services Committee, I had the chance to travel to many countries to meet with world leaders. I remember when I met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un,” Ms Noem wrote in the aforesaid book.
These meeting are being called into question as according to The Dakota Scout newspaper, neither account has been verified by congressional travel documents or outside sources.
This further weakens Noems credibility. But once again this needs to be fact checked thoroughly.
