A 17-year-old cheerleader in Texas is facing felony charges after allegedly using pesticide to poison and kill a rival’s show goat at their high school in an act of jealousy. Aubrey Vanlandingham confessed to poisoning the 6-month-old goat named Willy on October 23rd at Vista Ridge High School. Security footage showed Vanlandingham using a drench gun to force-feed Willy a toxic pesticide, leading to his death less than a day later in his owner’s arms.
The motive behind the poisoning was reportedly due to Vanlandingham’s belief that Willy’s owner’s 15-year-old daughter was a cheater. She had allegedly attempted to kill Willy before and showed no remorse for her actions. A necropsy confirmed the cause of death as organophosphate intoxication from phosmet, a pesticide used for external parasite control in livestock. Vanlandingham’s search history revealed inquiries regarding lethal doses of bleach for animals and methods of poisoning pets.
Despite holding the position of president in the school’s Future Farmers of America and actively participating in goat shows with her own pet, Lacey, Vanlandingham still harbored jealousy towards her younger competitor. The younger girl’s mother stated that the jealousy was baseless, as cheating is not possible in showing goats. Vanlandingham was arrested on November 22nd and charged with cruelty to livestock animals, a jail felony in Texas. She was released on a $5,000 bond and was banned from attending her high school during the ongoing case.
The girl’s mother expressed a desire for justice to be served, emphasizing that Vanlandingham should face jail time and receive mental help. She believed that the perpetrator needed to take ownership of her actions and face the consequences. The investigation found that Vanlandingham had tried to cover her tracks by searching “How to clear search history” after researching methods of poisoning animals.
If convicted, Vanlandingham could face up to two years in prison. Despite her previous successes and achievements within the livestock community, her actions towards her rival’s goat have tarnished her reputation and led to legal repercussions. The court appearance is scheduled for January 15th, and the case is ongoing as authorities work to ensure justice is served in the tragic death of Willy the show goat.
