HAINES CITY, FL — An Orlando woman was arrested in Haines City following a multi-county investigation that uncovered more than 50 allegedly fraudulent veterinary certificates connected to puppy sales dating back to 2025.
Investigators with the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) arrested 28-year-old Kyla Lane Rivard during a controlled buy-bust operation in Haines City. Investigators said Rivard sold two puppies to an undercover agent and provided fraudulent veterinary certificates.
Fraudulent veterinary paperwork can pose risks to animals and buyers because the documents are used to verify important information about an animal’s health, vaccinations and veterinary care. Fake certificates can misrepresent whether required care was completed and potentially conceal an animal’s true health or vaccination status.
During her arrest, investigators said Rivard was also found in possession of crack cocaine concealed on her person.
OALE Digital Forensics investigators uncovered more than 50 fraudulent veterinary certificates, along with communications and other evidence allegedly showing an ongoing pattern of fraudulent documentation and animal sales dating back to 2025.
Rivard faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including forgery, fraudulent use of personal identification information, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, uttering a false instrument, altering a public record or certificate, obtaining property through fraudulent communication, and failure to inoculate a dog before transport for sale.
Rivard remains incarcerated at the Polk County Jail. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE)
