Texas teen accused of murdering fellow student’s pet goat: reports

Prosecutors are accusing a Austin, Texas 17-year-old of animal cruelty after allegedly poisoning another student's pet goat, the Daily Mail reports.

Aubrey Vanlandingham, who often entered her own pet goat, Lacey, "in animal shows across the state for cash prizes and certificates," according to Daily Mail, is accused of using toxic pesticide to poison "Willie" the goat in the school's barn.

The Guardian reports that Willie "died about 21 hours later after convulsing and showing signs of respiratory distress," after the Vista Ridge High School student allegedly force fed the goat pesticide, according to documents.

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Vanlandingham told police, the news outlet notes, "that she deliberately poisoned the goat because she believed the animal’s owner was 'a cheater', according to the affidavit.

This was not the first time she tried to kill the goat.

"We were there when he passed away," the mother of Willie's owner told the Daily Mail. "My daughter was actually holding him. So that was very traumatic."

She added, "We don’t believe there is any remorse there. We want justice served, we don’t want a slap on the wrist. We want to make sure that she is punished."

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The Daily Mail reports Vanlandingham could serve up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty.

Daily Mail's full report is available at this link. The Guardian's report is here.