The owner of Willie the goat is speaking out, calling for a 17-year-old to face ‘jail time’.
In October, Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park hosted a livestock show where students could participate with their animals for awards and cash prizes.
Tragically, a goat named Billie died a day after the event, and 17-year-old Aubrey Vanlandingham is accused of poisoning the animal.
An arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE details that the goat experienced respiratory distress and started convulsing.
The goat passed away the day following the competition, with an autopsy determining its death was due to pesticide intoxication.
Vanlandingham allegedly admitted to authorities that she killed the goat, calling the owner’s daughter a ‘cheater’ and confessed to previously trying to harm Willie as well.
Authorities also examined Vanlandingham’s phone.
The affidavit claims that the phone search history included inquiries about poisoning animals, such as ‘If goats inject bleach do they die’ and ‘How much bleach kills a goat,’ and ‘Poisoning pets, what you should know’.
The Post reports that police later obtained security footage from the school, revealing a female student using a drench gun to administer liquid to the goat.
Footage shows the student leaving and returning to check on the goat twice in two hours before alerting the goat owner’s mother about the goat’s illness.
Willie’s owner, the mother of another student, has spoken out.
In an interview with Mail Online, the owner, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted being present as Willie died, with her daughter ‘holding him’.
“That was very traumatic,” she commented.
The owner claims Vanlandingham ‘admitted to poisoning [Willie] multiple times over several days’ and believes the teenager is not showing ‘any’ genuine ‘remorse’.
The owner hopes the teen faces more than ‘a slap on the wrist,’ advocating for ‘jail time’ and ‘mental help’.
If convicted, Vanlandingham could face up to a $10,000 fine and two years in prison.
Aubrey’s attorney issued a statement: “My minor client and her family are working hard to resolve any legal issues and non-legal issues raised by these allegations, and we are thankful for a judicial process that will let us tell our story.”
Crestina Hardie, Chief Communications Officer for Leander Independent School District, which includes Vista Ridge, remarked to the Austin American-Statesman: “The district believes the security measures in place, including surveillance footage as well as routine supervision by agriculture science teachers, provided the evidence law enforcement needed to complete the investigation.
“While the district cannot comment on the status of the student, disciplinary action was taken consistent with policy and procedures.”