Vet Posts Pic Of Cat She Killed With Arrow

A veterinarian has been fired after posting a boastful picture on Facebook of her holding a dead cat she had killed with a bow and arrow.

Kristen Lindsey, of Brenham, Texas, wrote alongside the image: "My first bow kill, lol. The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through it's head! Vet of the year award ... Gladly accepted."

Her post quickly went viral and prompted a barrage of angry calls to Brenham Police Department and Washington County Animal Control.

A local woman later claimed the animal in the photograph was actually her pet, called Tiger, and the matter is now being investigated by police.

Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes told local news channel KBTX he was disturbed by the photo.

"This kind of stuff shouldn't happen in our society," he said.

"It's a very sad thing. Hopefully we will get to the bottom of it and get the truth, 100% truth, and get it to the DA and put it in his hands if it needs to go any further."

According to KBTX, Ms Lindsey initially insisted she would not be fired, writing on Facebook: "And no I did not lose my job. Psshh. Like someone would get rid of me. I'm awesome!"

But a statement issued on Washington Animal Clinic's Facebook page said: "We just learned of the conduct that is discussed below.

"We are absolutely appalled, shocked, upset, and disgusted by the conduct.

"We have parted ways with Ms Lindsey. We do not allow such conduct and we condemn it in the strongest possible manner.

"Please know that when informed of this we responded swiftly and appropriately and please do not impute this awful conduct to the Washington Animal Clinic or any of its personnel."

Amy Hemsell says she believes the animal is the orange and white tabby cat she looks after on a property on the same road as where Lindsey lives.

She said she was "disgusted" by the image and was "overwhelmed" by the response, but called for calm.

"It still has not been confirmed if this was Tiger and the incident is under investigation," she wrote on Facebook.

"Please everyone be respectful to Washington Animal Clinic as they had nothing to do with the incident."

KBTX showed the sign outside Washington Animal Clinic now had Ms Lindsey's name covered up.

Thousands of people have signed up for two Facebook pages demanding justice for the "murdered" cat, while 25 people have "liked" a page in support of Ms Lindsey.