A 17-year-old Texas girl, Aubrey Vanlandingham, is under strict court orders after admitting to fatally poisoning a competitor's show goat. Vanlandingham, accused of administering pesticide to the 6-month-old goat named Willy, is facing a felony animal cruelty charge. Court documents reveal she confessed to the act, citing her dislike for "cheaters." The incident, which occurred on October 23rd, unfolded at Vista Ridge High School's barn, where surveillance footage captured Vanlandingham forcing the goat to ingest the poison. The footage shows her holding the goat's head and using a syringe-like instrument to force the substance down its throat. Following the poisoning, Vanlandingham contacted the goat's owner's mother, reporting unusual behavior. She also sent a video of the goat convulsing to the owner. Willy tragically died approximately 21 hours later. A necropsy confirmed the cause of death as organophosphate intoxication from phosmet, a pesticide used for parasite control in livestock.

Vanlandingham, who was recently elected president of the school's Future Farmers of America chapter and is also a cheerleader, is currently awaiting trial at home after posting a $5,000 bond. The court order restricts her interactions with animals, limiting her to supervised visits with her own pets. It also prohibits any contact with the victim's family and mandates drug testing. A search of Vanlandingham's phone revealed searches related to animal poisoning, including queries about bleach and pet poisoning. Both Vanlandingham and the victim's owner were members of the school's FFA program, and Vanlandingham actively participated in animal shows with her own goat. Prosecutors believe the poisoning was motivated by a desire to gain an advantage in an upcoming competition.

The victim's mother has expressed concern about Vanlandingham's apparent lack of remorse and is seeking justice beyond a "slap on the wrist." She believes Vanlandingham should face imprisonment and receive mental health treatment. The teen's legal representative stated they are working to address the legal and non-legal implications of the allegations and expressed gratitude for the judicial process. Vanlandingham's next hearing is scheduled for March, and under Texas law, she could face up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted. She has not yet entered a plea.