Outrage after vet uses bow and arrow to kill 'feral' cat
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A vet has been sacked after she mistook a neighbour's beloved cat for a wild animal and shot it with a bow and arrow before posting a sick 'kill picture' on Facebook.
Dr Kristen Lindsey posted a sickening picture on the social network site on Wednesday, showing her holding the cat aloft by an arrow sticking out of its head.
Seemingly, she thought the cat was "feral" and bragged about her "first bow kill".
Inviting praise, she wrote: "My first bow kill, lol. The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through it's head! Vet of the year award ... Gladly accepted."
However, unbeknown to the vet, the animal was in fact a family pet called Tiger, a six-year-old tabby who went missing in Brenham, Texas, earlier that day.
The chilling image quickly went viral as animal lovers shared it online.
It has sparked a support page on Facebook, called Justice For Tiger, where campaigners are calling for Dr Lindsey to be charged with a criminal offence.
The Facebook page includes photos of Tiger as well as a video that was posted to YouTube by the cat's owner back in November, reports KBTX.
Defiant Dr Lindsey later posted on the site, denying that she had been fired.
She wrote: "No I did not lose my job. Lol. Psshh. Like someone would get rid of me. I’m awesome!"
However, it has since been confirmed that she has been sacked, while Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes said he would forward the case to the district attorney for review.
The Texas Veterinary Medical Association also criticised Dr Lindsey's actions.
In a statement, it said: "We are saddened and disturbed by the unfortunate actions of this individual, and we remind Texas residents that this conduct is not reflective of the veterinary profession or of the veterinarians who strive to embody the words of the veterinarian’s oath every day.
"Upon learning of the troubling misconduct, the Brenham clinic where the veterinarian was practicing immediately condemned her actions and terminated her employment."
Tabby: The cat belonged to one of the vet's neighbours