The hearing on the veterinary license revocation of Kristen Lindsey, the veterinarian who posted a picture of herself on Facebook holding a cat by an arrow through the cat’s head and bragging about the kill,  may be delayed based on new evidence obtained during a deposition of Lindsey. In the deposition, Lindsey admitted that she did not believe the cat had rabies when she shot him, which contradicts her previous defense that she shot the cat because she believed he was “likely rabid”. The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners requested a continuance to further exchange evidence and information.

The Board moved to revoke Lindsey’s veterinary license in October 2015 after concluding that she violated its rules. Lindsey appealed the revocation, and an administrative law judge in the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings originally scheduled March 8 10 for the hearing. If the Board’s motion for continuance is granted, the hearing will be pushed to a later date. Lindsey and her lawyer are objecting to the delay, as Lindsey cannot apply for a permanent veterinary job while the case is still pending.

On February 16, Lindsey also submitted an exhibit list that included documents relating the “health risks” of feral cats in order to defend her actions. The Board filed an objection to the exhibits, stating that whether the cat was feral is irrelevant to the case. The formal complaint alleged that Lindsey killed the cat in a cruel manner, which is unlawful regardless of whether he had an owner.

The Board also concluded that the cat was Tiger, beloved pet of a couple who lived across the street from Lindsey. That means Lindsey would have needed the owners’ effective consent for the case to not be animal cruelty. Lindsey’s only remaining defenses are that she did not kill the cat in a cruel manner, or that the cat was not actually Tiger, but a feral cat similar in appearance.

The supposed “health risks” of feral cats not only have nothing to do with Lindsey’s case–they are also not true. Science shows that community cats pose no dangers to humans, and live healthy lives outdoors alongside people. These attempts to cast community cats in a bad light are no defense for Lindsey’s actions.

Alley Cat Allies applauds the Board’s objection, and we hope the revocation of Lindsey’s license will be upheld. We will stay involved as the case moves forward and keep you updated.