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Kristi Noem Sparks Backlash Over Hunting Photo With Dog

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 10:45 PM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. former DHS secretary Kristi Noem posted a hunting-season photo with her dog Foster.
She wrote “Happy Opener, South Dakota! … tradition worth passing to kids and grandkids” on X, October 17, 2026.
Thousands of commenters urged “please don’t kill him” and called the dog petrified.
Her 2024 memoir “No Going Back” recounts shooting her 14-month-old dog Cricket.
Noem described Cricket as untrainable, attacking chickens and trying to bite her.

History

Historical Context

Britain’s Hunting Act, passed in 2004 and effective from 18 February 2005, outlawed most hunting of wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales, following decades of failed bills and a 2003 Commons vote for a ban. Public surveys have shown roughly 75 % support for the ban. Kristi Noem’s October 17 2026 X post featuring her dog at a South Dakota hunt revived the same animal-welfare debate.

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Story summary

U.S. former DHS secretary Kristi Noem posted a hunting-season photo with her dog Foster.
She wrote “Happy Opener, South Dakota! … tradition worth passing to kids and grandkids” on X, October 17, 2026.
Thousands of commenters urged “please don’t kill him” and called the dog petrified.
Her 2024 memoir “No Going Back” recounts shooting her 14-month-old dog Cricket.
Noem described Cricket as untrainable, attacking chickens and trying to bite her.

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