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A vet from Texas has had her license suspended following an investigation into a horrific post on her social media.
Kristen Lindsey killed a cat by shooting it through the head with a bow and arrow, before posting an image holding the dead animal aloft as a trophy and labelling herself ‘vet of the year’.
She accompanied the image with a message saying ‘My first bow kill… lol. The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through it’s (sic) head. Vet of the year award… gladly accepted.’
TwitterIt transpired that the cat in question was not feral at all but, as reported by the Daily Mail, a pet named Tiger who belonged to Lindsey’s neighbour.
Here he is hitching a ride on his owner’s tractor…
Lindsey was fired from the Brenham animal clinic when the image emerged back in April 2015, and now Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners has suspended her license for 12 months deeming her treatment of Tiger as cruel.
Lindsey’s lawyer Brian Bishop argued to the panel that his client genuinely believed the animal was feral and it is fairly common for residents in the area to ‘dispose’ of strays in such a manner.
The panel also heard that Lindsey has been subjected to a large number of threats suggesting she should be raped and murdered for her actions.
FacebookBishop did concede that Lindsey shouldn’t have posted the image online, but refuted claims she acted with ‘criminal recklessness’.
Animal rights group the Animal Legal Defense Fund believe Lindsey has got off lightly however.
They said in a statement:
This slap on the wrist pales in comparison to the egregious felony cruelty that Ms. Lindsey committed against a defenseless cat.
YouTube/AmyHemsellLindsey, who deleted her Facebook page prior to police becoming involved, will serve a further four years of probation following her suspension.
Meanwhile a page called ‘Justice For Tiger’ has been launched, quickly gaining over 55,000 likes.
Well the jury has spoken, but the sense of outrage remains strong…
