This is the latest news on Kristen Lindsey, the Texas veterinarian who so infamously and allegedly shot a neighbor’s cat with a bow and arrow (link to full history).
“The Austin County District Attorney’s office appreciates the hard work done by the Sheriff’s Office and the diligent service of the members of the Grand Jury and their careful review of the evidence. No further criminal action will be taken in this matter.”
WBTX News reports that she won’t face charges. This is a big shock and disappointment to hundreds of thousands of concerned and interested people across America most of them cat lovers and caretakers.
The Austin Grand Jury, at which there was a protest outside to try and enforce justice, returned a “No Bill”.
A press release from the Austin County DA’s office states:
“The investigation of Kristen Lindsey for charges of Animal Cruelty was presented to the Austin County Grand Jury on June 24, 2015. The Grand Jury returned a “No Bill” in this case. A finding of “No Bill” indicates the Grand Jury examined all the evidence and determined there was insufficient proof to charge Kristen Lindsey with a crime.
The Brenham Police Department initially referred the case to the Austin County Sheriff’s Office based upon one unsworn hearsay report that Lindsey may have acted to protect her pets from a potentially rabid stray cat in Austin County. After a thorough investigation, Sheriff’s Office investigators were unable to confirm where or when the incident took place. Without this information, officers lacked probable cause to obtain a search warrant for any Austin County properties in this matter.”
They failed for find ‘usable evidence’. I find that difficult to believe after she admitted killing the cat and advertised it all over social media.
Was the fact that the Facebook page was deleted soon after one reason why they failed to come up with evidence? What about all the screenshots of the photo and Lindsey’s accompanying words which are now all over the internet?
The State’s legal system can’t come up with proof that the killing actually happened! It is all fiction apparently. Why haven’t the police interviewed Lindsey in detail, under oath, because she would find it hard to explain her actions and online admissions in an interview. Such an interview would provide evidence. She could have been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty. It never happened.
The photo could not tell them whether the cat had been killed inhumanely. Therefore a humane killing of a neighbor’s cat is permissible even if there is no reason for it. How can that not be a crime?
In addition, the cat has not been positively identified as Tiger, the neighbor’s cat. Is that relevant? It appears to be.
The outcome is exactly what I predicted and it is unsurprising to me but still depressingly familiar. It is timely that the news has come out at the exact time we have 500,000 petition signatures for the revocation of her license to practice veterinary medicine, which will now not happen.
It’s now time for decent minded citizens to boycott any vet clinic or other business which chooses to employ Ms Lindsey. That kind of boycott will have more effect on her lifestyle, than a brief spell in prison or community service ever would. Employers need to be reminded she is bad for business.
Good point Jo. It says that cat cruelty is okay. Completely the wrong message.
This is the worst miscarriage of justice I have ever seen. This POS should have had her license removed and she should never be able to practice veterinary medicine again.
SHAME on Texas Grand Jury. Shame on Texas.. this is outrageous and leaves the door open for further animal cruelty at the hands of so called “trusted” veterinarians.