They Trusted Him to Give Their Pets Funerals. But Was He Throwing Animals' Remains in the Trash the Whole Time?

A Pennsylvania funeral director is facing charges after prosecutors say he allegedly threw out the bodies of thousands of pets whose owners had paid for burial and cremation services.

Patrick Vereb, 70, the owner of Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial in Pittsburgh, is charged with improperly disposing of thousands of dogs and cats from customers who had paid for cremations and burials between 2021 and 2024, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. 

Following an investigation, prosecutors found that Vereb allegedly took over $650,000 in funds from more than 6,500 customers in exchange for private funeral services of their pets. But instead, Vereb allegedly disposed of many of the pets at a landfill and provided their owners with ashes of unknown animals. 

The Office of Attorney General announced Monday, April 28, that Vereb has been charged with felony counts of theft by deception, receiving stolen property and deceptive business practices. 

“This case is disturbing, and will cause devastation and heartache for many Pennsylvanians,” Dave Sunday, attorney general, said in a statement. “Our pets are members of our families, and this defendant betrayed and agonized pet owners who entrusted him to provide dignified services for their beloved cats and dogs.” 

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The attorney general’s office has launched a website that victims are encouraged to use to keep up with the case. They have so far identified victims from Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Vereb surrendered Monday afternoon and was arraigned on the charges. He was then released on his own recognizance, according to a news release from the Office of Attorney General.

Vereb has not yet entered a plea, according to Pennsylvania court records, and is due back in court on May 9. His attorney did not immediately return a request for comment from PEOPLE.