For those of you who missed it, as Kristina40 reported on Saturday, heartless Texas veterinarian Kristen Lindsey callously shot a stray cat in her yard with an arrow and bragged about it on Facebook. She has been fired and the sheriff's office is considering cruelty to animal charges, but we're not done with her yet. I felt that it was important to post updated information now because today is a good time to take action.
PLEASE NOTE: Trigger Warning: Other than Kristina40 and myself, all the posts show the original objectionable photo that the vet posted to Facebook, showing her holding up the slain cat with the arrow. I am posting pertinent quotes so that you don't have to go there if you want the information without the sickening photo. If you can look past it, however, please show the Facebook page your support.
According to the Facebook page, Justice for Cat Murdered by Kristen Lindsey:
Breaking News Update from a Loyal Supporter::: Texas State Board of medical examiners are meeting right now to discuss an emergency suspension of Kristen Lindsey license, for killing a pet cat with a bow and arrow. They are discussing suspension, revoking of her license, fines, penalties and disciplinary action. It Is likely, they will temporarily suspend her why the police finished their investigation and then make a decision based on that. if you want to sway the board towards revoking her license.. please email today. Vet.board@veterinary.Texas.gov , The more people that email, the more likely they are to revoke her license, which means she will NOT be able to practice in that state. That's a state. We will keep you updated..as soon as we know...You will know also.
So please note that's the Texas state board of veterinary medical examiners. Let's spread the word as far and wide as possible and flood their inbox today. While the original Kos diary had a link to a Change.org petition, here is the statement from the Texas board:
The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners has been made aware of the situation with one of our licensees. We will not be responding to any comments posted here and we request that any comments be submitted to our official agency email address vet.board@veterinary.texas.gov. Thank you.
They want comments submitted via email, let's give them comments submitted via email. Today, while there may still be time to make a difference in their decision regarding what disciplinary action to take.
I also wanted to share with my fellow pootie-loving Kossacks these two great images from Justice for Cat Murdered by Kristen Lindsey. The slain cat is in heaven now:
The Washington Animal Clinic, where she no longer works, has posted the following statement:
Dear Friends, Clients, and other interested folks. We just learned of the conduct that is discussed below. 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. 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.
And finally, Colorado State University, where Kristen Lindsey went to veterinary school,
responded to the outrage with this statement:
We write to address a troubling issue that has drawn attention in our college, and is gaining attention in the nation and around the world.
Many of us are aware of the deeply disturbing news involving a Colorado State University veterinary graduate from 2012 who has worked in Brenham, Texas, and appears to have posted on Facebook a very distressing photograph and boastful comments about killing a cat with a bow and arrow. In the course of one day, the post and outraged response have blown up through social media and as a news story in traditional media outlets.
At Colorado State University, we join the veterinary clinic that earlier employed this individual, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and countless others who strongly decry the grotesque actions and comments displayed in that post. We trust that the Austin County Sheriff ’s Office will continue its investigation of the case, and that the case will be appropriately adjudicated through both the law-enforcement system and the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
We also wish to express our support for you, as students and veterinary professionals who joined this field with integrity and concern for animal welfare. Each day, you uphold our shared values as people who profoundly care about the health and wellbeing of living creatures. You work with determination, knowledge and compassion to improve animal welfare. Our students and our many graduates, with support and guidance from dedicated faculty and staff, achieve great things each day; you are committed to learning and discovery because you want to embody principles that form the foundation of veterinary medicine.
These principles are encapsulated in the Veterinarian’s Oath – an oath that each of us takes upon graduation from veterinary school. It is a promise to ourselves and society. A promise we hold dear.
“Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge. I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.”
We hope these words and principles will help guide us in our personal and professional lives. The public holds our profession in high regard and entrusts us to practice excellent medicine and to demonstrate compassionate care for the benefit of animals and the people who love them.
So all in all, I think people are showing the appropriate level of concern, but it's up to all of us to keep up the steady pressure. Clearly Dr. Lindsey has violated the Veterinarian's Oath (which I italicized above). She needs to face all the consequences. So please email the Texas veterinary board today. Again, that email address is vet.board@veterinary.texas.gov. Thank you!
Sat Apr 25, 2015 at 2:46 PM PT: I have heard back from the vet board. They thanked me for my comments and said they were forwarded to the Enforcement Division. They are in the midst of a thorough investigation and will not make a decision until that is concluded, in accordance with their "legally required" timelines and processes.