Kristen Lindsey, the Texas veterinarian who shot and killed a cat, was recently denied her request to have a partial new trial, reopen the case record, and strike testimony against her.
Lindsey caused huge public uproar last year when she posted a picture of herself on Facebook holding a cat by an arrow through his head and bragging about her kill. A hearing on revoking Lindsey’s license was held in April. A decision has yet to be made.
In June, Lindsey filed a motion for a partial new trial, to submit new evidence to help her case, and to throw out testimony from Dr. William Folger. Dr. Folger, an expert in feline veterinary medicine, was the primary expert witness for the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. The Board is fighting to take away Lindsey’s license.
Dr. Folger’s testimony was a big turning point in the April hearing. He testified that Lindsey had shot Tiger, an owned cat, and that Tiger was still alive at the time the infamous photo was takenmore proof of the cruelty of Lindsey’s actions. To justify striking this important testimony, Lindsey claimed that Dr. Folger had contradicted himself in internet comments before the hearing took place. The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners argued that Dr. Folger’s online comments are irrelevant because they were made before he was involved in the case. It also asserted that any such evidence should have been brought up before the hearing.
On July 18, the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings sided with the Board and denied Lindsey’s entire motion. She will not get a new trial, can’t submit new evidence, and Dr. Folger’s testimony will stay on the record. Texas law requires that a decision be made on Lindsey’s license before she can ask again for a new trial.
Alley Cat Allies hopes that Lindsey will get her veterinary license revoked and be denied a new trial if she requests one. We will continue following the case closely and keep you updated on developments.