17-Year-Old Texas Teen Poisoned, Killed Rival's Competition Show Goat Because She Hates 'Cheaters'

A 17-year-old teen from Texas was accused of poisoning and killing the competition show goat of her rival.

Aubrey Vanlandingham, 17, is accused of using a drench gun to forcibly feed Willie, her classmate's show goat, toxic pesticide on October 23. She also allegedly took a video of the goat, which lived at her high school's barn in Cedar Park, and sent it to the owner.

Surveillance footage of the incident showed the teen entering the barn at Vista Ridge High School, straddling the goat, and pushing the dredge gun into the animal's mouth three times. She left the barn after feeding the goat the pesticide but returned twice later that day to take photos and videos, according to the Austin-American Statesman.

The goat died the next day in the arms of its owner, shaking and convulsing. A necropsy later confirmed that the animal died of organophosphate intoxication from phosmet, which is a toxic pesticide typically used to control external parasites in livestock or as an insecticide for fruit crops, CBS Austin reported.

Why Did She Poison the Goat?

Speaking to police officers on October 29, Vanlandingham confessed to poisoning her classmate's competition show goat because Willie's caretaker was a "cheater" and that she "does not like cheaters."

She did not give further details on how she believed her classmate was cheating. Both she and her classmate appear to have been part of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, where students interested in agriculture are given opportunities to compete in related events to win awards and scholarships.

In addition to confessing to the incident, Vanlandingham told police that it was not the first time she attempted to kill Willie. The 17-year-old said she had already tried to poison the goat three days earlier.

Furthermore, investigators found that she had searched "how much bleach can kill an animal" and "poisoning pets, what you should know" on her phone, per PEOPLE, which obtained a copy of the arrest affidavit.

What Are the Charges?

Vanlandinghma was arrested and charged with cruelty to livestock animals, jail records showed. She has been released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on January 15. The teen could face up to two years in prison and be fined up to $10,000.