WASHINGTON (April 26, 2024) — Today, The Guardian reported that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem acknowledged in her upcoming memoir how she ended the lives of her family’s 14-month-old puppy and a goat on their farm. Humane Society Legislative Fund president Sara Amundson responded to the revelations with the following statement:
“There is no redeeming takeaway from a story about the ending of these animals’ lives, including a juvenile dog who was the family pet. These details from Governor Kristi Noem’s upcoming book demonstrate a disconnect with the 86 million American homes that have at least one beloved pet and value our relationship with them. There are so many effective and humane ways to deal with canine behavioral issues that don’t resort to such means.
“America has always been a brighter light for championing the way we treat our animals. And this is not that brighter light.”
Media contact:
Kate Sarna, 202-836-1265, ksarna@hslf.org
