Student charged in goat's death at Vista Ridge High School

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- A Cedar Park Police arrest affidavit details how a 17-year-old Vista Ridge High School student allegedly killed a goat that belonged to another student.

The incident happened Oct. 23 at Vista Ridge's Future Farmers of America (FFA) agricultural facility, which is about half of a mile away from the school. Both students were part of the FFA club.

According to arrest records, the suspect was seen on security footage at 9 a.m. that day walking up to the goat's pen with a spray bottle and "syringe-like item." The affidavit said the teen held the goat down and "forced the syringe item into the goat's mouth."

The officer who wrote the affidavit said that the goat broke free during this, and that the suspect forced the syringe into its mouth two more times. The suspect went back to check on the goat twice more that day and took photos and video each time, according to the affidavit.

Police said the suspect was seen around 2 p.m. making a phone call to the family that owned the goat.

Later in the day, the goat was taken to a veterinary hospital. The doctor said something appeared "off" with the animal. The goat died on Oct. 24.

Veterinarians performed a necropsy, which is like an autopsy but for animals. The vet said when the goat's stomach was opened "the smell of pesticide permeated the room."

Police claim that the suspect told officers she poisoned the goat because the other student was a "cheater and I don't like cheaters."

After testing from the state came back positive for pesticide weeks later, a search warrant was issued for the teen's phone. Police claim that phone records show searches for terms like "poisoning pets, what you need to know" and "how to clear search history."

The teen was charged with cruelty to a livestock animal, a state jail felony.

KXAN reached out to the teen's attorney who released the following statement, "My minor client and her family are working hard to resolve any legal issues and non-legal issues raised by these allegations, and we are thankful for a judicial process that will let us tell our story.”

Leander ISD's Chief Communications Officer Crestina Hardie said that the district is proud of its FAA program, but saddened by the goat's death.

"The district believes the security measures in place, including surveillance footage as well as routine supervision by agriculture science teachers, provided the evidence law enforcement needed to complete the investigation," Hardie said. "While the district cannot comment on the status of the student, disciplinary action was taken consistent with policy and procedures. The district is grateful for the leadership at Vista Ridge HS for providing thoughtfulness and care for the community of students impacted by the event."