Veterinarian Who Attempted to Conceal Identity of Missing Dog Pleads Guilty

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Kimberly A. Parkhill-Brown, 46, of City of Tonawanda, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before Tonawanda City Court Judge Dean Lilac to one count of Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree (Class A misdemeanor) and one count of Companion Animal Stealing (unclassified misdemeanor under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law).

On or about Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the victim's Yorkshire terrier, "Benji," went missing from her residence in Niagara County. Later the same day, the victim received a phone call from a veterinarian's office in the City of Tonawanda, notifying her that "Benji" had been found by another individual who brought the dog into their office to be scanned for a microchip. The victim received a second call, notifying her that "Benji" was no longer at the office after being discharged to the individuals who brought him in.

The defendant, while working as a veterinarian, knowingly made false entries into the office's business records. On July 17, 2024, the defendant made a false entry in the patient log, with the intent to defraud, by intentionally changing the reason for the visit from "dog found in the woods" to "itchy skin." The defendant altered the sex of the dog in the patient log from "male" to "female spayed."

On Thursday, August 8, 2024, the defendant, while working as a veterinarian, falsified business records with the intent to defraud or aid in the concealment of a crime by changing the office's patient log entry by altering the name of the dog. The same day, the defendant unlawfully removed the dog's microchip, registered to the dog's lawful owner, and replaced it with another microchip. The defendant committed companion animal stealing by removing identification by which the owner may be ascertained. The defendant changed the name of the dog again in the patient log on Monday, August 12, 2024. The dog was later returned to the victim.

Parkhill-Brown faces a maximum of 364 days in jail when she is sentenced on Tuesday, March 17, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. She remains released on her own recognizance.

DA Keane commends Detective Brett Rogers of the City of Tonawanda Police Department for his work in this investigation as well as Chief Investigator Lindsey Wood of the SPCA Serving Erie County and Investigator Jonathan Bondi of the Niagara County SPCA.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.