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A funeral home director in Pittsburgh is facing serious allegations after it was revealed that he disposed of the remains of thousands of pets, instead handing grieving owners the ashes of different animals.
Patrick Vereb, 70, who owns Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial, is said to have defrauded more than 6,500 clients, collecting over $650,000 for pet burial and cremation services from 2021 to 2024, according to an announcement from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General made on Monday.
Accusations of Improper Handling of Pets
Investigators allege that Vereb, through various veterinary practices and businesses, received substantial payments from pet owners expecting a private cremation for their beloved animals. However, reports suggest that many pets were discarded in a landfill instead of receiving the dignified service promised, with clients receiving ashes from other pets.
Tiffany Mantzouridis, a former intern at Vereb Funeral Home, noted several alarming details from her time there. She recalled observing pets’ remains stored in garbage bags atop freezers and significant issues in recordkeeping.
“He would take the ashes back from the crematory, and they come back in a big bag with plastic bags with twist ties on them that have the metal tag twisted onto them. And then, for some unknown reason, would take that bag into his apartment, close the door, mess around with the ashes, and they would all come back in zip lock baggies with no tags,” Mantzouridis remarked.
A client whose cat was cremated through Vereb’s service expressed her distress over receiving ashes in a zip-close bag without a crematory tag, raising doubts about the authenticity of what she possesses. She described the allegations as “disturbing,” a sentiment shared by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday.
“This case is disturbing and will cause devastation and heartache for many Pennsylvanians,” said Sunday in a press release. “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. I commend our investigative team for a comprehensive review of voluminous records which uncovered this long-running pattern of theft and deception.”
Identifying the Victims
The state has established a new website aimed at helping potential victims report their experiences. Prosecutors noted that Vereb also targeted victims among direct-pay clients of Eternity Pet Memorial, in addition to those referred by veterinary offices. Victims have been identified in counties including Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, and Westmoreland.
Individuals who used Vereb’s services between 2021 and 2024 are encouraged to complete an online form to come forward.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has identified several veterinary practices and businesses that were affected, including Affordable Care, All About Pets, and Imperial Animal Hospital, among others.
Patrick Vereb is facing multiple felony charges, including theft by deception and deceptive business practices. He surrendered to authorities on Monday afternoon, was arraigned, and subsequently released on his own recognizance.
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