US politician Kristi Noem, governor of South Dakota and potential Republican presidential candidate, has sparked controversy around the world after she revealed in her autobiography that she had once killed her family dog by luring it to a gravel pit and shooting it.
The revelation has drawn horrified reactions from social media, with many questioning her fitness to be president as a result.
But Governor Noem has defended her actions as a painful, but necessary part of growing up on a farm. She says the puppy, named Cricket, was “uncontrollable” and had attacked and killed several of a neighbour’s chickens.
When Governor Noem tried to pull Cricket away, she said the dog turned to bite her.
“At that moment,” says Noem, “I realised I had to put her down.”
Cricket met his fate soon after.
The story has drawn criticism from animal welfare groups and other political commentators.
But what do you think? Was killing Cricket justified? Would this affect your vote for Governor Noeme?
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