A Texas teenager, 17-year-old Aubrey Vanlandingham, is facing charges of animal cruelty after allegedly poisoning a student’s goat at a Cedar Park, Texas, high school.
The shocking incident occurred at Vista Ridge High School, located roughly 20 miles north of Austin, where the teenager reportedly used a drench gun—a tool typically used to administer medication to livestock—to administer a lethal pesticide to the goat, named Willie.
The goat, a show animal, died within 24 hours after showing severe symptoms, including convulsions and difficulty breathing.
Security footage reportedly captured Vanlandingham committing the act, which prosecutors say was a deliberate act of cruelty.
According to authorities, Vanlandingham confessed to poisoning the animal, explaining that it was her second attempt to harm the goat.
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She allegedly believed that the goat’s owner’s daughter had been “cheating” in some way, which drove her to target the animal.
In a disturbing revelation, investigators discovered that before the poisoning, Vanlandingham had searched online for information on lethal animal poisons and how to erase her browsing history.
These actions prompted further suspicion about her intent and premeditation.
Vanlandingham was arrested and later released on a $5,000 bond. At this time, attempts to contact her legal representation have been unsuccessful.
The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning how such a cruel act could occur within a community setting.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter.
The incident highlights the need for stricter supervision and accountability in high school programs, particularly those involving animals, to prevent such horrific occurrences from happening in the future.