AUSTIN, TexasAlley Cat Allies decries today’s decision that will allow recreational cat-killer Kristen Lindsey to be re-licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Texas after only a year’s suspension. Lindsey shot an arrow through the head of Tiger the cat and boasted about the killing on social media. The vote taken today by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners means that Lindsey will be allowed to begin practicing veterinary medicine again after one year. She will then continue to be on probation for another four years.
“Only a permanent revocation of Kristen Lindsey’s license is an acceptable ruling given the level of contempt for animals she has demonstrated,” said Misty Christo, Alley Cat Allies’ lead attorney on the case. “She shot Tiger, dangled him by an arrow through his head as he slowly died, and then celebrated the killing on social media with a grisly photo. She clearly broke the public trust we place in veterinarians and should never practice medicine again.”
Christo expressed concern about the prospect of Lindsey regaining her license again one year from now.
“With this ruling, animal owners may soon unknowingly place their animals in the care of a veterinarian who grossly violated her oath to prevent animal suffering” Christo said. “That’s why a full license revocation was the only choice to protect both the veterinary profession and animal owners who may work with her in the future.”
Since the case first broke in 2015, Alley Cat Allies pushed for harsh punishment, filed an amicus brief and offered testimony in the case. It has ensured that Kristen Lindsey’s actions would not escape notice and that she would be held accountable for her killing of Tiger.
Lindsey has 20 days to request a re-hearing from the TBVME, and 30 days to appeal to state District Court.
(Note to editors: Pictures from the Oct. 18 proceedings are available for your use by contacting [email protected]. Attribution for the pictures must be given to “Alley Cat Allies.”)
For more information, visit our Kristen Lindsey Special Report.
About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has more than half a million supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities and organizations save and improve the lives of millions of cats and kittens nationwide. Its website is www.alleycat.org, and Alley Cat Allies is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.