A recent survey conducted by the Economist/YouGov revealed that a majority of Americans find South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s actions, as detailed in her forthcoming book, unacceptable. Noem has faced heavy criticism for shooting her dog Cricket in the head, citing the dog’s aggressive behavior and violent actions towards livestock and herself. Despite defending her decision as a display of her personal responsibility, most Americans disagree with her handling of the situation. The survey, conducted among 1,813 adults from May 5-7, 2024, showed that 67 percent of respondents deemed Noem’s actions unacceptable, with only 15 percent finding them acceptable. This sentiment was shared across party lines, with 37 percent of Republicans, 66 percent of independents, and 89 percent of Democrats also viewing her actions as unacceptable. Noem continues to defend her decision, describing the dog as extremely dangerous and emphasizing the difficult choice she had to make for the safety of her family and livestock.
