Kristi Noem is facing another wave of backlash on social media after sharing photos of herself posing with a dog while dressed in hunting gear.
The former Homeland Security secretary appeared camera-ready in the outdoor snaps, but the pictures quickly attracted attention for a different reason. Given Kristi’s controversial history of admitting to shooting and killing her family’s dog, Cricket, some social media users couldn’t help but express concern for her latest four-legged companion. Read more about the situation below.
Happy Opener, South Dakota! Foster and I wish you good luck in the field!
Pheasant hunting is part of who we are, and it’s a tradition worth passing on to our kids and grandkids.
As Governor, I partnered with landowners to start the Second Century Initiative, helping turn marginal land into wildlife habitat so the next generation can enjoy the same hunting traditions we grew up with.
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) October 17, 2026
Kristi Noem Shares New Photos Posing With Her Dog In Hunting Gear
The media personality took to social media to share photos of herself alongside her dog, Foster, as she celebrated the start of pheasant hunting season in South Dakota. In the pictures, she could be seen posing outdoors with the pup, including one shot of the pair sitting together beside an off-road vehicle in the snow.
For the outing, Kristi sported a bright orange beanie with a matching orange layer underneath a brown hunting jacket. She completed the look with olive-green camouflage pants, rugged outdoor boots, and coordinating hunting accessories. Despite the chilly, snowy conditions, her long, highlighted hair appeared styled, and she looked polished for the camera.
“Pheasant hunting is part of who we are, and it’s a tradition worth passing on to our kids and grandkids,” she wrote in her post.
Social Media Users Are Concerned About Kristi’s Dog Following Her Puppy-Killing Scandal
The photos quickly brought back memories of Kristi’s controversial admission in her 2024 memoir, No Going Back, that she shot and killed her 14-month-old wirehaired pointer, Cricket. According to her story, after an incident with her neighbor’s chickens, she decided the dog was dangerous and untrainable, then took the puppy to a gravel pit and shot her, a tale that sparked widespread outrage.
Now, with the governor sharing new photos of herself with another hunting dog, social media users are revisiting the incident and questioning the animal’s safety.
“Yeah, she executed a puppy for killing a chicken she was going to kill anyway,” responded an X user. “She absolutely should not have a dog, and whoever let her adopt this one needs to get locked up with her.”
“Who goes hunting with 30 layers of makeup?” asked another.
“I know she’s trolling, but I’m [gonna] need her to drop the gun and rehome that dog immediately,” a user commented.
“Yeah, because every woman gets glammed up to go hunting,” joked another.
“That dog hasn’t even had time to settle in, and the internet is already begging for its life,” a user commented. “The reputation precedes her.”
“The dog is scared,” wrote another.
