Kristi Noem publicly admitted to shooting and killing her dog Cricket, as detailed in her 2024 memoir and widely reported by multiple reputable news sources.
True
Kristie Noem shot her dog.
Trump VP contender Kristi Noem writes of killing dog – and goat – in new book - Books | The Guardian
Source: theguardian.com
At a glance
Verified August 9, 2025Key Evidence
Kristi Noem's own memoir recounts how she fatally shot her family’s dog Cricket after it ruined a pheasant hunt and attacked chickens.
theguardian.comtheguardian.comKristi Noem responds to South Park’s crude takedown of her in episode targeting...
bbc.combbc.comTrump VP contender Kristi Noem defends killing her dog
Multiple news outlets including BBC and TIME have reported on this event with direct quotes from Noem defending her actions.
time.comtime.comWhy Did Kristi Noem Kill Her Own Dog? Everything to Know
The Guardian also covered the story extensively, confirming the details from her book.
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
Multiple credible sources confirm that Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, shot and killed her dog named Cricket. This incident was recounted by Noem herself in her May 2024 autobiography "No Going Back," where she described the dog as unruly, untrainable, and dangerous, particularly after it attacked chickens and disrupted a pheasant hunt. She led the dog to a gravel pit and fatally shot it. This event has been widely reported and discussed in the media, including coverage by The Guardian, BBC, TIME, and others. The act has also been referenced in popular culture, such as a South Park episode mocking Noem for this incident. Noem has publicly defended her decision in interviews and statements, citing South Dakota law that permits such actions under certain circumstances.
Key points:
The dog’s name was Cricket.
The shooting occurred after the dog exhibited aggressive and destructive behavior.
Noem described the event in detail in her memoir published in 2024.
The incident has been confirmed by multiple independent news outlets.
Therefore, the claim that Kristi Noem shot her dog is accurate and supported by direct admissions and multiple reliable reports.
Primary trail
Verified Sources7
Open source