Nashville Man Charged With Felony After Practicing as Unlicensed Veterinarian

A 45-year-old Nashville man who police say never held a Tennessee veterinary license was arrested on November 3 and charged with a felony after pet owners reported adverse outcomes in dogs and cats treated at an East Nashville clinic.

Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Community Crimes detectives arrested Prashant Pandya in an investigation centered on Caudle Veterinary Clinic, according to a department news release. Detectives executed a search warrant at the clinic the same day. Police anticipate additional charges as the investigation continues.

Pandya has never held a Tennessee license to practice veterinary medicine, MNPD stated. State records show he applied for a license but failed the required examinations.

How did he pass as a DVM?

Police allege Pandya presented himself as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine regardless. He used the title "Dr. Pandya" and wore a white coat bearing the name "Dr. P.F. Pandya DVM," the release states.

Licensing records obtained by NewsChannel 5 in Nashville show Pandya failed the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination at least 10 times. The MNPD release does not state the number of attempts.

The arrest affidavit, as reported by the Tennessean, contains more direct evidence. Investigators obtained an audio recording in which Pandya discussed a surgery he performed on a witness's dog. The dog died shortly after the procedure. During that conversation, Pandya said he was the clinic's only veterinarian and that his father had stopped practicing.

The affidavit also cites a social media post showing a photo of Pandya and announcing him as lead veterinarian.

The clinic's own marketing reinforced the image. As of November 4, the Caudle Vet Clinic website attributed more than 45 years of small animal practice experience to "Dr. F.K. Pandya and his expert team." The site does not explain how F.K. Pandya relates to Prashant Pandya. It states the clinic has licensed veterinarians on staff.

The takeaway: an unlicensed practitioner operated openly, with title, coat and website all supporting the claim.

What triggered the investigation?

The case began in September after pet owners complained about "adverse outcomes" from procedures their dogs and cats underwent at the clinic, MNPD said. Detectives worked the case with the Davidson County District Attorney's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Detectives know of at least 7 such cases between August 2025 and September 2026. The release does not describe the procedures, the outcomes, or the DEA's specific role.

MNPD spokesperson Don Aaron told WKRN the case surfaced because community members raised concerns about the clinic. In September, WSMV reported on a Nashville pet owner whose dog died hours after surgery at the clinic. She searched the state's license verification website and found no record for Pandya.

What does the law allow?

Davidson County court records list the charge as impersonation of a licensed professional. Under Tenn Code Ann §39-16-302, a person who lacks a required professional license commits the offense by practicing the profession or by pretending to be licensed in it.

The offense is a Class E felony, the least serious of Tennessee's five felony classes. State law authorizes a sentence of 1 to 6 years in prison and allows a jury to assess a fine of up to $3,000.

Separately, the Tennessee Veterinary Practice Act requires anyone practicing veterinary medicine in the state to hold a license from the state board. Practicing without one violates the act.

What happens next?

Court records list Pandya's next appearance as December 11 in Davidson County General Sessions Court. As of November 4, no attorney was listed for him. MNPD had not publicly announced results of the clinic search by that date.

The case is a public reminder for practitioners and clients alike: state license verification databases are public, free, and in this instance caught what a white coat and a website concealed.