Ohio animal hospital owner accused of using dead dog’s name to obtain prescription drugs

The owner of an Ohio animal hospital and an accomplice have been indicted on multiple charges after prosecutors say he used the name of a dead dog to obtain thousands of prescription pills and other controlled substances.

A grand jury in Lorain County indicted Dr. Kris L. Taylor and Camille Angulat-Nieto on seven counts after the pair allegedly took part in a scheme out of Landings Animal Hospital in Avon Lake, a suburb of Cleveland, according to reports.

The pair are accused of repeatedly writing and filling prescriptions for oxycodone and Alprazolam, the generic form of Xanax, in the name of “Punkin,” a dog that is dead, according to an indictment obtained by 19 News.

Taylor, 62, owned the animal hospital and also worked there as a veterinarian. It was not immediately clear whether Angulat-Nieto, 29, was also a staff member at the facility.

Investigators say over 20 prescriptions for Oxycodone and Alprazolam were written for “Punkin” and filled at pharmacies across Northeast Ohio between August 10, 2024, and June 7, 2025.

Taylor and Angulat-Nieto were each charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, deception to obtain a dangerous drug, possession of oxycodone, illegal processing of drug documents involving oxycodone, deception to obtain a dangerous drug and illegal processing of drug documents involving alprazolam, all felonies.

They were also charged with possession of alprazolam, which is a misdemeanor.

Lorain County sheriff’s deputies arrested Taylor on Tuesday, and he was released after posting a $500,000 cash or surety bond.

He was then placed under court-supervised release, 3News reported.

Court records show Taylor has pleaded not guilty to the charges. It was not immediately clear whether Angulat-Nieto entered a plea.

The hospital told 19 News that it plans to stay open.