Texas cheerleader charged with poisoning rival's show goat
- Aubrey Vanlandingham allegedly confessed to poisoning her competitor's goat because she perceived the owner as a cheater.
- The goat named Willie experienced severe symptoms, including convulsions, and died shortly after being poisoned.
- The case has garnered significant public attention and raised concerns about animal welfare and ethics in livestock competitions.
In October 2023, a serious incident involving animal cruelty occurred in Cedar Park, Texas, involving a 17-year-old high school cheerleader. Aubrey Vanlandingham reportedly killed a rival's six-month-old show goat named Willie by force-feeding it pesticide. The act was allegedly motivated by Vanlandingham's belief that the goat's owner was a 'cheater', despite her rivals claiming that there was no cheating in livestock shows. The act was captured on surveillance footage, showing Vanlandingham administering the toxic substance on October 23 before returning to check on its condition multiple times. Willie exhibited serious distress and died approximately 21 hours after being poisoned. Initially, the cause of death could not be determined by a veterinarian, leading to a necropsy that confirmed organophosphate intoxication from phosmet, a pesticide used for external parasite control in livestock. Subsequently, the investigation led to the discovery of alarming internet searches on Vanlandingham's phone, including inquiries about how to poison animals and how to erase search history, suggesting premeditation. On November 22, 2023, Vanlandingham was arrested and charged with cruelty to livestock animals, a state jail felony in Texas that could result in a two-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine. Following her arrest, she was released on a $5,000 bond the same day, which sparked outrage among the victim’s family who called for accountability and justice for the unnecessary suffering inflicted on the goat and their daughter. The incident has raised broader questions about ethics in animal competitions, with the Texas Future Farmers of America emphasizing the importance of leadership, accountability, and ethical behavior in their programs. Despite these principles, this incident serves as a troubling reminder of the dangers posed by jealousy and competitive rivalry among young competitors in agricultural settings, potentially calling into question the ethical standards upheld in youth competitions.