In a shocking case of rivalry gone wrong, a Texas teenager faces felony animal cruelty charges after allegedly poisoning a fellow student’s show goat.
Aubrey Vanlandingham, a 17-year-old cheerleader from Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park, stands accused of killing a six-month-old goat named Willie by force-feeding it pesticides. The incident has left her community stunned and searching for answers.
A High School Rivalry Takes a Dark Turn
On October 23, 2024, chaos erupted at Vista Ridge High School when reports surfaced that Willie, a white and brown goat raised as part of the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, was convulsing and behaving erratically.
Vanlandingham, who served as the FFA chapter president, sent videos of Willie’s distress to the goat’s 15-year-old owner and her mother. However, security footage later revealed a disturbing scene: Vanlandingham forcefully administering pesticides to Willie with a syringe.
Willie’s owner rushed to the school barn, but the young goat succumbed to his injuries despite veterinary intervention. A necropsy confirmed pesticide poisoning, with investigators noting the strong smell of chemicals when Willie’s stomach was examined.
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A Chilling Motive
When questioned by authorities, Vanlandingham admitted to poisoning Willie, claiming her actions stemmed from a belief that the goat’s owner was a “cheater.”
Further investigation uncovered troubling evidence on Vanlandingham’s phone, including searches like:
- “How much bleach kills a goat”
- “Poisoning pets, what you should know”
- “How to clear search history”
This evidence supported claims that the attack was premeditated.
Legal Consequences and Community Impact
Vanlandingham was arrested on November 22, 2024, and charged with felony animal cruelty under Texas law, which carries a penalty of up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine. She posted a $5,000 bail the same day but has been barred from attending school until the case concludes.
The 15-year-old goat owner’s mother expressed disbelief, telling the Daily Mail: “She’s saying it’s because of cheating. But from what we’ve deciphered, she was just really jealous. You can’t even cheat when it comes to showing goats.”
Unanswered Questions
Despite being competitors in the FFA program, Vanlandingham and her rival reportedly had little interaction, as they were in different age groups. This lack of a personal connection has deepened the mystery surrounding Vanlandingham’s actions.
The victim’s mother voiced concerns about her daughter’s safety: “We wanted to make sure that [Vanlandingham] was not able to interact with my daughter at all. It’s still pretty difficult for her; she definitely doesn’t trust anybody at this point.”
Awaiting Justice
Vanlandingham is scheduled to appear in court on January 15, 2025. The proceedings will hopefully bring clarity and closure to a community shaken by this bizarre and heartbreaking act of animal cruelty.
