Veterinarian Kills Cat With Arrow
This story was all over the internet last week, and many people have asked me about it.
Hard to believe, and very disturbing.
I personally have very strong issues with all of it.
This is what happened:
A veterinarian in Texas, Kristen Lindsey, posted a photo of herself holding a cat that had been shot with an arrow.
The picture has caused a huge public outcry, and authorities are still looking into the incident.
The caption on the woman’s Facebook post, which has since been taken down, read: “My first bow kill, lol. The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through it’s head! Vet of the year award … Gladly accepted.”
Currently many think that the cat had belonged to a neighbor and went missing, he was called Tiger.
Facebook Group
As of Wednesday morning, more than 44,000 people have joined a Facebook group: Justice for Cat Murdered By Kristen Lindsey..https://www.facebook.com/JusticeforTiger?fref=ts
As public pressure intensified, both Lindsey’s employer and police in Austin County have since chosen to take action.
Washington Animal Clinic Fires Her
On Friday, it was announced that Lindsey had been fired as an associate veterinarian at the Washington Animal Clinic after two years of employment.
The clinic has covered Lindsey’s name with duct tape on an outdoor sign listing its veterinarians, and posted the following message on its website:
“We are absolutely appalled, shocked, upset, and disgusted by the conduct. We do not allow such conduct and we condemn it in the strongest possible manner… Please know that when informed of this we responded swiftly and appropriately and please do not impute this awful conduct to the Washington Animal Clinic or any of its personnel.”
Police Investigate
The Austin County Sheriff’s office has investigated the incident, and now referred it to Austin County District Attorney Travis J. Koehn.
In a news release Koehn said that his “office will carefully review this matter, as we do with all investigations forwarded by law enforcement”
Alley Cat Allies, is currently offering a $7500.00 award
A cat advocacy group, Alley Cat Allies, is currently offering a $7500.00 award which aims to assist the investigation by encouraging local residents to provide additional evidence, specifically physical evidence or firsthand accounts of the incident.
This is what is posted on their website at http://news.alleycat.org/2015/04/20/working-toward-justice-for-cat-killed-in-austin-county-texas/
The Austin County Sheriff’s Office’s on-going investigation is the only way to hold the perpetrator accountable under the law, and Alley Cat Allies supports their investigation. They are aware of the photo and Facebook posts that appear to show an act of cruelty, but those items do not provide sufficient evidence to file criminal charges. Authorities need physical evidence or testimony from residents with firsthand knowledge of the incident.
The person of interest in this story has not been arrested or convicted, and remains innocent until proven guilty. But the idea that a veterinarian, the very person we trust to help animals, would post such a picture and her comments is deeply concerning. We have filed a formal complaint with the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners requesting that the veterinarian’s license be revoked.
Online Petition
There is currently an online petition which now has over 28,000 supporters, We Ask That You Revoke The License of Kristen Lindsey, DVM at https://www.change.org/p/texas-state-board-of-veterinary-medical-examiners-revoke-the-license-of-kristen-lindsey-dvm?recruiter=2122482&utm_campaign=signature_receipt_twitter_dialog&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition#petition-letter
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), is also investigating.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), is also investigating. This is what they have to say on their website:
On Friday, April 17, the image of a veterinarian posing with a cat she claimed to have shot with a bow and arrow quickly went viral and led to an outpouring of anger and disgust from around the world.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) was equally appalled and disturbed by this image, and immediately took action to assess the situation while responding to individual complaints via social media and telephone. A special e-mail address, JudicialCouncil@avma.org, has been established to gather complaints regarding this situation and forward to the AVMA Judicial Council, which investigates all matters concerning allegations of unethical conduct of veterinarians. The AVMA Judicial Council can take action up to, and including, dismissal from the AVMA in accordance with the AVMA’s Rules of Disciplinary Procedures.
Dr Jones Responds
This is a horrible event, that is really so hard to believe actually happened.
A veterinarian, entrusted to care for animals,would have taken this veterinary oath…
If the story is true, then she should be criminally charged, and have her veterinary license removed by the Texas Board of Medical Examiners.
What appears to have been done is the opposite of this oath, and what it really means to be a veterinarian..She is expected to protect animal health, and relieve animal suffering- where in fact she has done the exact opposite, showing a complete disregard for what she supposedly stood for.
Kristen Lindsey should not be practicing veterinary medicine.
Andrew Jones, DVM
Disgusting–she needs to lose license for good and serve time –is this woman NUTS? What is with that smirk on her stupid face—she needs her face slapped!
She’s an egregious example but representative of too many vets that really think the Veterinarians Oath only applies to paying animals. When no ones looking they’re trash animals to do whatever you want to them.
I am appalled. All animals suffer when mistreated, and are blameless for their homeless condition, as well as deserving no credit when they have homes. In this respect, we must treat them with compassion and respect, and either try to ease their suffering, with euthanasia, after everything has been done to improve their condition. In Puerto Rico many people do that, but here there are many who do not understand the issue yet. Here the weapon of choice is illegal poison, but not administered, thankfully, by our vets. Peggy Ann Bliss, Animal Bliss, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.
Being an animal doctor or human doctor or public servant does not mean an individual will have compassion and respect for life. If this is true, she needs to find another line of work.
There aren’t even appropriate words to describe what a disgrace this person is to the human race. The only remotely positive thing to come out of all of this will hopefully be her being tossed out of the veterinary industry before she can do any more harm to an animal. And then she should be charged criminally and tried appropriately.
And what of all the innocent cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, goats, ducks, etc. who we pay someone else to enslave and kill for the totally unnecessary reasons of palate pleasure, amusement and convenience??? Flesh and all other animal products are physiologically unnecessary to maintain good health. We do not need their skins or hair for clothing nor any other purpose. There are all kinds of useful alternatives. When we stop to consider that the life and family of ANY nonhuman animal is as valuable to them as ours is to each of us, then subjugating nonhuman animals for any purpose is clearly morally unjustifiable.
Go vegan. It’s easy. It’s better for your health (animal foods cause physical harm); it’s better for the planet (animal agriculture is an ecological disaster); and, most importantly, it’s the morally right thing to do.
I would have no problem shooting her through the head with an arrow. I’m sure her head has nothing in it. Definitely take her vet license away and have her do volunteer work at a Humane Society.
Mark
WHY are we SO surprised by any of this!?!?!? THIS is what humans do best…destroy one another and our creatures around us…I am not saying all of us…but whether we are doctors, dentists, postal workers etc. it does not matter. Many serial killers started off just as ‘Lindsey’ did…by killing small prey and then they moved onto bigger…
I agree whole heartly her license should be taken away from her. It just made me feel sick when I saw that picture poor kitty I love cats they are beautiful animals and should be treated with respect and love when they give you unconditional love. This person is holding it up like it was a trophy also serve time which would be enough for the kittyl
Well, somebody stood in line for trains while God handed out brains.
This is just so sad. Several things are at issue here. One; this was an incredibly stupid thing for her to do. She likely has spent a number of YEARS in school to be a veterinarian. She *could* be really sorry now after all this. Two; why are people so viscous? You might FEEL like shooting her through the head with an arrow, but would you? So, please, try not to say such things. Three; it would be a terrible waste to have this girl, who has trained for a profession, not use her education. What then? She should be out and get a job at McDonalds, and make much less money and thus pay much less in taxes into the system?
there needs to be some punishment, hopefully a good deal of remorse and regret, and then frankly, let her get on with her life! Today we are just SO UNFORGIVING of any perceived wrong by common people (but who counts 4000 dead soldiers based upon a lie by the Pres. and Veep?) (billions STOLEN by Wall Street criminals). No. We need to be rational about this.
Yes, killing the cat was terrible. No doubt about it. People who vote to take away health care from humans vote for death to those who need the care.
And truly, how many doctors, dentists, psychiatrists, etc. are pure of soul and intent?
Although I agree that going vegan is responsible. I also agree that the horrors we inflict upon animals in the corporate agriculture and big farms are criminal, and should be ended and those who allow it be punished (read: congress critters, since they continually vote in favor of allowing the criminals and prosecuting the investigators and protesters.
So, ultimately, never vote for a republican as they represent all the horrors I have just mentioned above.
Karma never sleeps. What evil she did will return upon her.
Les I hope you are right!
Arlene B in Phoenix….Democrats and Independents are just as rotten as Republicans. It’s the state of the human heart without God residing there. Your comment shows your ignorance. Obama has authorized the killing of wild horses for meat and factory farming has worsened while Demonrats have been in power. Look to the facts, not your hatred of a group of people.
What this woman did is horrible and she should be punished. She has no respect for animal life and shouldn’t be allowed to be a veterinarian. Perhaps she can assist a senior vet but I’d never trust her with my animals. It’s unbelievable that she never thought it could be someone’s pet that got out of their home or yard. It happens to 1 out of every 3 animals in the US at some time during their life. Our society has fallen so low that we lack natural affection – for God, each other and all life. How very tragic all around. God help us; we all need Him.
People are the cause of feral cats. I hate feral cats because they eat wildlife.
What she did is sickening especially bragging about it. She reminds me of western hunters that go killing poor innocent animals in the wild, and I feel she has a problem and too much testosterone. I respect vegans!
Bottom line !!! If you kill or harm a living creature/human.. you are PUNISHED!!
there is NO JOY when you do this.. It is offensive to the peace keepers
I have seen too many photos with people smiling posing with a killed animal… woman shot a giraffe(seriously what do you do with a killed giraffe), this cat,
I DO NOT CARE FOR CAT’s but killing one w/arrow !!
yes, license revoked!! I would put her on a post and have a professional shoot arrows at her to scare her !!! ..now we have Vegans,DEMs ,REPs and others going off the beaten path…
she should be forced to do volunteer work w/strict guidance at a rescue group to provide animals with adopted families that would remind her everyday of the bad choice she made.
the universe always balances out wrongful doing!
I am concerned about WHO took the picture as well. Why would anyone condone this by taking her picture?
I personally do not believe this story.
Why? (I could be wrong but…)
My logic tells me that anyone smart enough
to become a veterinarian would not do something
that would eliminate half her clients. (Yes, half
because many who bring dogs in only may still be
cat owners & admirers). It would be insanely foolish.
If she was that immature, she wouldn’t have made it
through school, at least without tremendous peer pressure.
IF it IS true, she deserves to have her entire college
years go to waste.
IF a vet disliked cats, I certainly wouldn’t take my dog
to see him/her. AND if they mistreated ANY animal (yes,
even reptiles which make my skin crawl)
Anyone who could be that cruel is not someone I can trust and surely would not pay to trust with the care of my animals.. Besides, why would anyone in the animal business hate an entire species?
You might “prefer” to treat dogs or cats and specialize
in certain animals, but to callously kill is sick – just
sick.
That being said I knew a guy who used to shoot stray cats
(Years ago) until his daughter brought a cat home to live.
He ended up so close to it, he *cried* when it died.
Most who don’t like cats, don’t KNOW a cat on a personal level.
Anyone else think this sounds false?
By the way, I’m with DEE in her reply to Arlene.
Killing a baby about to be born, and NOW wanting to kill
it AFTER it’s born OR leaving it to die out of neglect
because it was a botched abortion is even more sick than
what this idiot supposedly did. AND it’s evil. Causing
harm to an innocent,especially when they suffer is pure evil. I don’t care what “party” you belong to, if you are
part of the human race you are part of the problem and part of the solution.
Why do so many promote the “us” vs “them” mentality …we
won, you lost, etc. How childish and unproductive in finding some real solutions to keeping the true evil at bay and protecting those who need protection.
Wake up people; the longer you sleep, the longer you want to divide people by “categories” rather than look at the real problems which are within the inhumanity of mankind, the longer evil has to gain foothold.
Kristen Lindsey is no “veterinarian”. She can go to Hell. I want to see her license revoked permanently.
Angie said it all. My concern is, that is how serial killers start, killing animals to practice and than move to humans! That is what I am afraid of. Somebody need to stop her NOW. Lock her up and throw the key.
Revoking her vet lic. is the least thing that bother me it should be given even there is no material evidence, just for taking that picture and posting it with that psycho smile. Also, person who took the picture should be charged too.
NOTE to Jeffrey Coolwater: I am all for letting people make their choices, but it bugs me when they try to guilt others to do the same. I am not vegan or vegetarian I simply do not eat meat. It is my choice but I do not believe those who eat meat are less smart, caring, etc. People with hard physical jobs (you know, those who build and make things so we can live and enjoy food, shelter etc.) need meat for proteins and strength to do their jobs. I do not know any builder, or trader that is vegan, do you. So, eat what you want and leave others to make their own choices.
Hi,
I remember this post, I was not impressed by it and told her that too! I’m very happy to hear that there’s an investigation, to much cruelty with animals and I feel not enough is done. Hope she will get what she deserves.
I appreciate knowing this, I didn’t hear nothing about it until now… thanks to sharing it!
Have a good night Dr
To Annette… I, too, thought this may be just one of those email rumors, because I can’t fathom that any vet would do this to an animal. I did some research to find out on truth or fiction and snopes.. It appears to be true, unbelievable, but true.. How a vet could shoot any animal is beyond me.. Why would someone so cruel choose to be a vet? I certainly wouldn’t want her anywhere near my babies.. As for her statement that the only good ferral cat is a dead one, unbelievable.. We had a ferral cat we fed for a few years who presented us with a batch of kittens, one of which still lives with us and gives us more joy than I can put into words..
There is a facebook page about this with links to petitions to have her license taken away: https://www.facebook.com/JusticeforTiger Thank you Dr. Andrew for bringing this to our attention. I’m sure this kind of thing is heartbreaking to you, and all vets who truly love animals.