Texas vet fired for killing cat with a bow and arrow

Houston: A Texas veterinarian, who allegedly killed a cat with a bow and arrow and bragged about it on the social media, has been fired from her job.

Dr Kristen Lindsey reportedly shot an arrow into the back of an orange tabby’s head and posted a proud photo recently on Facebook of herself smiling, as she dangled its limp body by the arrow’s shaft.

“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.”

Angry callers rang the phones at Washington County’s Animal Clinic, where Lindsey worked, to vent their outrage.

Then an animal rescuer said that Lindsey’s prey was probably not a feral cat but the pet of an elderly couple, who called him “Tiger.” He had gone missing on Wednesday, the same day that Lindsey posted the photo of the slain cat.

As the firestorm grew, Lindsey wrote in the comments underneath her post: “no I did not lose my job. Lol. Psshh. Like someone would get rid of me. I’m awesome!”

But that prediction was wrong.

The clinic in Brenham, about 160 kilometres northwest of Houston, fired Lindsey, covered her name on its marquis with duct tape, and publicly distanced itself from her actions.

“Our goal now is to go on and try to fix our black eye and hope that people are reasonable and understand that those actions don’t anyway portray what we’re for here at Washington Animal Clinic,” CNN quoted Dr Bruce Buenger, co-owner of the hospital as saying.

The clinic told WBTX that Lindsey was not available for comment. She removed her controversial post then eventually shut down her Facebook page.

Callers also complained to the Brenham Police Department and Washington County Animal Control, as her Facebook post went viral.

The sheriff’s office in Austin County, where the cat was apparently shot, is investigating, and Lindsey could face charges.

“As soon as the investigation is complete, we will post the relevant information here on this page,” the post read.

Meanwhile, animal rights activists are pushing for charges.

“Animal cruelty must be taken seriously, and the guilty parties should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said cat advocacy activist Becky Robinson.

Her organisation, Alley Cat Allies, is offering a USD 7,500 reward for evidence leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot the cat.