Investigators said dead dog was found in a shower stall
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An Ocoee woman was arrested on Thursday after dozens of dogs were rescued from her home, according to court records.
Per a charging affidavit, the arrest stems from July 2023, when deputies said the dogs were discovered living in deplorable conditions at 230 E. Silver Star Road.
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At the time, investigators said they’d gotten a tip about the home from a concerned witness, who reported that the owners hadn’t been seen at the property in days.
As a result, investigators responded to the property a couple of days later, noticing a “strong smell of urine and feces,” as well as many dogs barking inside.
“The dogs were observed to be in filthy conditions without access to clean drinking water or food,” the affidavit reads. “The dogs were housed in wire cages stacked two and three high, allowing urine and feces to fall into the bottom row of cages.”
Following a search, deputies announced that Orange County Animal Services had helped remove 32 dogs from the property, though another dog in the home was already dead by that point.
According to deputies, the dead animal had been found left with a still-living dog in a shower stall, which was blocked shut by a plastic dog food bin filled with dirt. In addition, deputies said several dogs tested positive for Parvovirus.
The incident kicked off an animal cruelty investigation involving one of the dogs’ owners, 27-year-old Kyla Rivard.
Detectives said they learned that Rivard had been operating a “dog rescue” out of the home with the other owner, 45-year-old Heather Lynn Drass.
Drass reportedly told deputies that the two would take turns caring for the dogs, though she’d gone to the hospital a few days before deputies arrived at the home.
“Drass stated that Kyla Rivard would normally come to the property every day, but there were times that Kyla Rivard would not show up for a couple of days,” the affidavit reads. “Drass stated that Kyla Rivard has a bad drug problem, to include heroin and methamphetamine, and would occasionally overdose on the property.”
As a result of the investigation, both Rivard and Drass have been arrested. Both women face two counts of animal cruelty and 11 counts of confining animals without food, water or exercise.
Court records show that Rivard is currently on probation through October 2025 for arrests involving charges of trafficking in stolen property and giving false information to a pawnbroker.
In addition, these records reveal that Rivard has been cited several times in the past for animal-related infractions of county ordinances.
In 2023, she was cited after one of her animals bit someone walking by the house and another bit a neighbor who was taking out trash, the reports state.
Furthermore, court records say that Rivard had been cited for animal neglect after leaving a pet chained up outside the home without proper shelter, with the citation noting that OCAS had been advised about it twice before the citation was issued.
What happened to the dogs
News 6 asked Orange County Animal Services what happened to the dogs, and the agency released the following statement:
“Orange County Animal Services is deeply committed to address animal abuse and cruelty. We take each case seriously and work closely with our rescue partners and veterinarians to ensure the best possible outcome for every animal involved in a traumatic situation.
“We are pleased to report 11 of the dogs found their forever homes while 15 of them were sent to one of our partnering rescue organizations.
“Unfortunately, K-9 Parvovirus, a highly contagious and deadly disease for dogs, played a role in this case. The virus is very serious and has forced shelters across the country to temporarily shut down. Due to its severity, we took immediate action to protect the health and safety of all animals involved.
"As a result, a mother and her two puppies were returned to a family member after testing positive for Parvovirus. Our staff thoroughly explained the situation, advising the owners that the dogs needed immediate medical observation and should be kept away from other animals to prevent further spread of the virus.
“One of the confiscated dogs tested positive for Parvovirus and was humanely euthanized on the recommendation of our veterinary team, due to the severe condition caused by the virus.
"Additionally, another dog was humanely euthanized after displaying dangerous behavioral characteristics, which posed a risk to multiple staff members.
"Lastly, a fourth dog was returned to its original owner. The owner had initially given the dog to the women involved in this case, believing they were operating a legitimate dog rescue. Prior to the dog’s arrival at Orange County Animal Services, the owner had made several attempts to reclaim the dog.
"Orange County Animal Services remains dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of all animals in our care. We will continue working with our partners to prevent further cases of cruelty and neglect"
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