The disciplinary case of Texas veterinarian Dr. Kristen Lindsey has made its final stop in court.
Following a Texas Supreme Court decision last week reaffirming punishment imposed by the state professional licensing board, Lindsey's longtime attorney Bill Bishop said Monday that the embattled veterinarian does not intend to appeal her case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Lindsey, 35, was called before the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners in 2016 on allegations of ethics violations and animal cruelty. She admitted to using a bow and arrow to kill a cat that had strayed onto her property on April 15, 2015, in Brenham, Texas. She then posed for a celebratory photo with the dead animal and posted the image on social media.
Lindsey’s post went viral, inciting a storm of public criticism and prompting an investigation of animal cruelty by local law enforcement. While criminal charges weren’t filed — it’s legal in Texas to kill animals in certain situations — authorities found she had violated the Texas Veterinary Medical Licensing Act by demonstrating unprofessional conduct and conducting dishonest or illegal practices.
Board staff initially sought to permanently revoke Lindsey's license to practice in the state but ultimately decided to levy a one-year license suspension followed by four years of probation that ends in February 2020. Lindsey made several failed attempts to appeal the decision in court, claiming the board's order trampled on the right of property owners to protect their assets from damage caused by animals.
The VIN News Service was unable to determine whether Lindsey is in active practice. Records show that her Texas license is on "probated suspension," which means she can practice veterinary medicine in the state on condition that she complete courses on animal cruelty and spend at least 100 hours volunteering at a feline rescue or similar facility.
Lindsey does not have a license to practice veterinary medicine in Wyoming, her home state. She did not return a telephone call from VIN News seeking comment.