Kristi Noem faces online criticism after posting hunting photo with dog

On X, Kristi Noem posted a photo of herself with her hunting dog Foster to usher in South Dakota's pheasant hunting season, noting the tradition's importance for future generations. She referenced the Second Century Initiative, a partnership with landowners to convert marginal land into wildlife habitat. The post sparked a wave of criticism, with commenters recalling her past decision to put down a 14-month-old puppy, Cricket, and some even created AI-generated images depicting violence toward Foster.

One user warned the dog might be shot, while another posted a graphic of a gun aimed at the animal. Noem has previously explained the euthanasia in her book, describing Cricket as a danger after killing chickens and attempting to bite her. The Department of State was contacted for comment but did not respond.