A Central Florida woman was arrested on Wednesday by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office after officials said they removed 33 dogs from her property, which was in “deplorable” shape.According to an affidavit obtained by WESH 2, Kyla Rivard, 27, is charged with four animal cruelty felonies after an incident more than a year ago.In July 2023, Orange County Animal Services responded to a home in Ocoee multiple times after an anonymous caller told officials they were worried about animals inside a residence on Silver Star Road.After multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach the owners via phone or by knocking at the door, two investigators entered an unlocked trailer on the property out of concern for the animals they could hear inside.According to the report, the conditions inside—where 18 dogs were counted—were described as “filthy.” Investigators say the smell of urine and feces was overwhelming, adding that dogs were living in wire cages stacked on top of each other.Additionally, the report says there was no access to clean drinking water or food. As officials were removing animals from the property, one investigator discovered two additional dogs trapped in a shower stall—one of them being dead.Officials say they also removed 13 additional dogs from outside kennels.Of the 33 animals removed from the property, five of them tested positive for canine parvovirus, which is a highly contagious disease that attacks white blood cells and the gastrointestinal tract of dogs.Additionally, one of the dogs was found with a severe hookworm infestation, leading to a “humane euthanasia,” the report details. Officials were able to determine that Rivard and another woman, 45-year-old Heather Drass, were responsible for the dogs living there.According to records, Drass told investigators she lived at the property with her four dogs and would assist Rivard with her rescue dogs. The woman said the dogs would mostly stay outside, but when they had rescued too many, they started housing them indoors.In her interview, Drass told investigators would usually assume responsibility for the dogs when Rivard wasn’t there, but the woman said she had to go to the hospital a few days before the dogs were removed from the home. According to Drass, she made Rivard aware of the hospitalization and said there would be nobody there to care for the dogs.Both women are facing charges of cruelty to animals, confinement of animals without food and water, confinement of animals without exercise and care and attempted aggravated animal cruelty.Drass was arrested on Nov. 11, 2024, while Rivard was arrested on Wednesday.
A Central Florida woman was arrested on Wednesday by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office after officials said they removed 33 dogs from her property, which was in “deplorable” shape.
According to an affidavit obtained by WESH 2, Kyla Rivard, 27, is charged with four animal cruelty felonies after an incident more than a year ago.
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In July 2023, Orange County Animal Services responded to a home in Ocoee multiple times after an anonymous caller told officials they were worried about animals inside a residence on Silver Star Road.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach the owners via phone or by knocking at the door, two investigators entered an unlocked trailer on the property out of concern for the animals they could hear inside.
According to the report, the conditions inside—where 18 dogs were counted—were described as “filthy.” Investigators say the smell of urine and feces was overwhelming, adding that dogs were living in wire cages stacked on top of each other.
Additionally, the report says there was no access to clean drinking water or food. As officials were removing animals from the property, one investigator discovered two additional dogs trapped in a shower stall—one of them being dead.
Officials say they also removed 13 additional dogs from outside kennels.
Of the 33 animals removed from the property, five of them tested positive for canine parvovirus, which is a highly contagious disease that attacks white blood cells and the gastrointestinal tract of dogs.
Additionally, one of the dogs was found with a severe hookworm infestation, leading to a “humane euthanasia,” the report details.
Officials were able to determine that Rivard and another woman, 45-year-old Heather Drass, were responsible for the dogs living there.
According to records, Drass told investigators she lived at the property with her four dogs and would assist Rivard with her rescue dogs. The woman said the dogs would mostly stay outside, but when they had rescued too many, they started housing them indoors.
In her interview, Drass told investigators would usually assume responsibility for the dogs when Rivard wasn’t there, but the woman said she had to go to the hospital a few days before the dogs were removed from the home.
According to Drass, she made Rivard aware of the hospitalization and said there would be nobody there to care for the dogs.
Both women are facing charges of cruelty to animals, confinement of animals without food and water, confinement of animals without exercise and care and attempted aggravated animal cruelty.
Drass was arrested on Nov. 11, 2024, while Rivard was arrested on Wednesday.
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