Brenham veterinarian accused of killing cat with arrow, posting photo to Facebook won't be charged

From Kristen Lindsey's Facebook post. From Kristen Lindsey's Facebook post. Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Brenham veterinarian accused of killing cat with arrow, posting photo to Facebook won't be charged 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

The Brenham veterinarian accused of shooting a cat through the head with an arrow and posting a boastful photo about it on Facebook will not be charged.

An Austin County grand jury "no billed" Dr. Kristen Lindsey on Wednesday for the alleged April incident, according to the Austin County District Attorney's Office.

The investigation was unable to turn up substantial information implicating Kristen Lindsey in a crime related to the cat slaying. The only real evidence was a single Facebook photo, but according to a press release from the Austin County District Attorney, the Austin County Sheriff's Office was unable to verify when or where the photo was taken.

"Without more information, the State lacks proof that this incident even occurred in the state of Texas," the DA said in a press release, noting that cat hunting is legal year-round in Wyoming.

Furthermore, investigators couldn't prove the cat was killed in a cruel manner, since guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association include a "bolt to the head" as a humane form of euthanasia when done correctly.

Sheriff Jack Brandes of the Austin County Sheriff's Office previously told the Chronicle he was alerted April 17 to a now-deleted Facebook photo of Lindsey from that area holding an orange cat with an arrow through its head.

The photo appeared to show a smiling Lindsey holding a dead cat up via an arrow show through its head.

"My first bow kill [cat emoticon] lol. The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through it's head! Vet of the year award...gladly accepted [laughing emoticon]," the post said.

Lindsey deleted the Facebook profile after the photo went viral and animal activists online lashed out. Shortly thereafter, she was fired from her position at the Washington Animal Clinic in Brenham.

"We are absolutely appalled, shocked, upset, and disgusted by the conduct. We have parted ways with Ms. Lindsey. We do not allow such conduct and we condemn it in the strongest possible manner," the clinic said in the statement."

"Please know that when informed of this we responded swiftly and appropriately and please do not impute this awful conduct to the Washington Animal Clinic or any of its personnel."