Kristen Lindsay, DVM, Cat Murderer . . .

One picture worth 1,000 words

(below this post was the picture of Kristen holding up cat)

By now half the world must have seen the picture posted on facebook of Dr. Kristen Lindsey, DVM, grinning as she is holding up the body of a cat, arrow shot through it’s head (some say the poor cat, Tiger, was still alive), jokingly asking for the veterinarian of the year award. I’ve been “obsessed” with the story the past three days, or so my daughter says. I don’t know why I can’t move on. Maybe it’s because it makes no sense and my mind keeps trying to find ways to force it to make sense. I can’t.

There are so many disturbing facts about this that frankly I don’t even know which one upsets me more. The fact that an innocent cat, somebody’s pet, was shot through the head for “sport.” The fact that a veterinarian, someone who took an oath to protect and help animals, was the shooter. The fact that the veterinarian held up the cat’s body and posed for a picture with her “trophy” bragging about her great aim. The fact that the poor cat, some say from the position of its legs, may have been still alive. The fact that her mother and father witnessed it, and her mother proudly boasted she took the picture so it wasn’t photoshopped. The fact that the veterinarian showed absolutely no remorse, but instead a cocky attitude that she would never be fired because she is awesome. The fact that someone happened upon an old blog post Kristen wrote in 2011, while in veterinarian school, saying, “Current interests . . . Killing things or trying to kill things (animals . . .).” The fact that she reactivated her facebook account not to post an apology, but to say, “I’m ignoring all the death threats. Insulting me doesn’t make you any better. Thanks for the support guys - feeling thankful.”

Washington Animal Clinic, where Kristen worked, issued an immediate statement saying they did not condone Kristen’s actions and were firing her. They also put duct tape over her name on the business sign in hopes of calming the angry outburst directed at them causing their website to crash. I have no idea whether or not anyone at the clinic knew of Kristen’s dark side. I would certainly hope not. They’ve done what they can do. I noticed that they did deactivate their facebook page since this incident happened. So they are suffering some fallout out over her actions. The sheriff is doing an investigation. Kristen and her lawyer are supposed to come in and speak with him early this week. For me, this is an open and shut case for animal cruelty, the evidence is all over the internet. But, there has to be due process. Her lawyer will probably have to work on some kind of defense. I read the Texas law on animal cruelty and it’s penalties. I am a little concerned that her lawyer will be able to spin this into an “accidental” shooting, in which case nothing may be done. Or, if they cannot prove the cat belonged to someone and was homeless, the cat may not be protected by the law. The evidence shows that the act was intentional and people have come forward to say the cat was the pet of an elderly couple. The investigation has to determine what is the truth before pressing any charges.

Meanwhile, there are petitions out there calling for the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to suspend her license to practice. I have seen responses from the board saying they are looking into the matter. If this doesn’t get her license revoked, I don’t know what would? I mean, who in the world could or would trust their precious pet with a doctor who loves to kill animals and has killed an innocent animal? Kristen also posted, “The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through its head.” I wonder if there were more posts on her facebook page indicating she has done this sort of thing before? And, her own college was appalled and issued their own statement of disgust with her actions. Everyone wants to distance themselves from Kristen Lindsey. I can’t blame them. She is a disgrace to the profession. She is a disgrace as a human being.

So I sit here and wonder what in the world would make a young woman, who graduated veterinary school in 2012 and swore to protect animals, kill an innocent cat for fun and enjoyment and brag about it? Something must be very wrong with her mentally. Killing innocent animals is the kind of behavior that has been attributed to serial killers and psychopaths. Showing no remorse? Bragging? Whatever happens with this case, I think she needs some psychiatric testing. I hope no one’s pet died while under her care at the clinic because, if I was their owner, I would be forever wondering if she had a hand in it.