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Prescription drug diversion occurs in unexpected places, including veterinarians. A grand jury has indicted an Avon Lake, Ohio, veterinarian and an accomplice that they used a dead dog’s name to obtain thousands of prescription pills. Even though Ohio and other states have programs to battle substance abuse, including local Narcotics Anonymous chapters, the street trade …
Ohio Veterinarian Charged in Dead Dog Oxycodone Scheme
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Prescription drug diversion occurs in unexpected places, including veterinarians. A grand jury has indicted an Avon Lake, Ohio, veterinarian and an accomplice that they used a dead dog’s name to obtain thousands of prescription pills.
Even though Ohio and other states have programs to battle substance abuse, including local Narcotics Anonymous chapters, the street trade continues to florist. In part, it’s because of cases like this one, in which channels feed opioid addiction.
Landings Animal Hospital in Avon Lake
Dr. Kris L. Taylor was a veterinarian and owner of Landings Animal Hospital in Avon Lake, a suburb of Cleveland. He and Camille Angulat-Nieto schemed to acquire prescription medication. Prosecutors say the pair used the name of a deceased dog named Punkin to write and fill prescriptions for thousands of pills of oxycodone and alprazolam, the generic form of Xanax, between August 10, 2024, and June 7, 2025.
Taylor was arrested in early October 2026 and released after posting a $500,000 cash or surety bond. Angulat-Nieto was due in court on October 15.
The duo faces seven counts. They include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two deceptions to obtain a dangerous drug, possession of oxycodone, and illegal processing of drug documents involving oxycodone, illegal processing of drug documents and alprazolam.
Oxycodone & Alprazolam
Oxycodone and alprazolam are controlled substances, and combining them raises overdose risk because opioids and benzodiazepines slow breathing. Once obtained, these pills can circulate in the evolving illegal street trade, hooking and killing people.
Cases like this one are reminders how drugs can come from seemingly obscure sources like a vet’s office. The allegations show how easily thousands of doses can move through legitimate pharmacies when someone games the system. The end result is often tragic.
Battling Opioid Addiction in Northeast Ohio
If you or someone you love has an addiction to oxycodone or anything else, help is available close to home. Medication-assisted treatment cuts down cravings and withdrawals while carrying naloxone can reverse an overdose while emergency help is on the way.
Narcotics Anonymous meetings take place all over Ohio and offer free peer support. The only requirement for membership is a desire to quit drugs.
You can search for NA meetings in any location via our online directory. You can also browse local options by calling 800-934-1582(Sponsored) and speaking with experts.
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