Schoolgirl, 17, charged with ‘fatally poisoning rival’s goat out of jealousy’
A teenager in Texas has been charged after allegedly poisoning the family pet goat of another schoolgirl out of jealousy.
Aubrey Vanlandingham, a 17-year-old high school cheerleader who takes part in livestock shows with her own goat, is accused of killing six-month-old Willy with pesticide.
Willy was reportedly attacked in a barn facility part of Vista Ridge High School, Cedar Park, where the two girls are pupils.
According to an affidavit obtained by CBS Austin, police found CCTV footage showing Vanlandingham trapping the goat and forcing it to drink pesticide using a drench gun.
The 17-year-old allegedly returned to the barn twice within two hours of the incident before calling the other girl’s mother to tell her Willy was unwell.
Willy suffered repeated convulsions and breathing problems before dying the following day his owner’s arms, local media reported.
Investigators said Vanlandingham initially denied involvement but confessed after being confronted with the footage.
According to the affidavid, she said she killed the goat because she ‘doesn’t like cheaters’, referring to the other girl, who is 15, and her family.
Prosecutors allege that her internet search history includes queries such as ‘how much bleach kills a goat’ and ‘poisoning pets, what you should know’.
The girls reportedly compete in Future Farmers of America (FFA) livestock shows, where students compete for prizes including scholarships and cash prizes worth up to $30,000.
Vanlandingham faces felony charges of animal cruelty, which is punishable by up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
She has not yet entered a plea and is due to appear in court on January 15.
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