The latest season of "South Park" never avoids controversial humor, but one gag in Season 27, Episode 2, “Get a Nut,” caught audiences off guard. Between sharp jabs at political figures and government agencies, the show targeted Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem with a dark recurring joke—portraying her as repeatedly shooting dogs, including the fictional Krypto from the Superman universe.
The humor drew directly from a real event in 2024 that stirred national headlines. That year brought the release of Kristi Noem’s memoir, No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward. Among the stories she shared was one that eventually found its way into a “South Park” plotline.
It involved her young dog, Cricket, just 14 months old, on a pheasant hunting outing.
The plan was to train Cricket alongside older dogs, but the young dog ignored commands and resisted control, even with an electronic collar. Later, while she stopped to speak with a local family, Cricket broke free from the vehicle and attacked their chickens. In a frenzied burst, the dog killed several, crushing each one before moving to the next.
Instagram | nypost | "South Park" drew humor from Kristi Noem's real-life account of killing her dog, as detailed in her 2024 memoir.
She managed to stop the attack, but not before Cricket bit her. Noem then made the decision to shoot the dog. She explained that South Dakota law allows the killing of dogs that attack livestock. She paid the family for the damage and said she acted to protect both animals and people.
When the memoir excerpt circulated, the incident reignited debate. Critics condemned her decision, while supporters argued that in rural life, protecting livestock often requires quick and decisive action. In her own words on X, Noem said she took responsibility instead of passing it to someone else. She stressed that both as a rancher and in public service, she handles difficult tasks directly.
Livestock protection laws carry significant weight in agricultural communities. Farmers often see aggressive dogs as a serious threat that can’t be ignored. Rural South Dakota's cultural norms shaped how many locals viewed the incident, even if it drew outrage in urban and political circles.
Instagram | www.animationmagazine.net | "South Park" satirized the Kristi Noem dog controversy by comically exaggerating it.
South Park took the real-life story and dialed it up for laughs, turning Noem into a character who went after not only actual dogs but even famous fictional pets. The over-the-top gag highlighted the absurdity while still nodding to the real controversy. For some viewers, it was just wild comedy; for others, it was a pointed callback they recognized immediately.
That blend of real-life detail and satire gave the episode its staying power. It also reignited discussion around the original event—whether it was a tough obligation under the law or a glimpse of questionable judgment. Either way, it became a defining part of how people view her.