Bills Aimed at Ending Pet Cremation Scandal Introduced

New Legislation Aims to Reform Pet Cremation Industry

Lawmakers in Harrisburg have introduced two bills aimed at overhauling the pet cremation industry following a shocking investigation into a Western Pennsylvania funeral home owner who allegedly mishandled pet remains. The incident has sparked outrage among pet owners and led to calls for stricter regulations to protect the dignity of pets and their families.

Sherry Trussa, a pet owner from Pittsburgh, shared her heartbreak after learning that her cat "Snickers" and dog "Joey Porter" were not properly cremated. She had entrusted Vereb Funeral Home and Eternity Pet Memorial with the cremation services when her pets passed away in 2024. However, an investigation revealed that the owner, Patrick Vereb, allegedly disposed of the pets in a landfill and provided incorrect ashes to grieving families.

“It broke my heart to think that my pets’ bodies were treated like trash,” Trussa said, struggling to hold back tears. “It was very difficult for a few weeks to sleep, and when I’d wake up, that would be the first thing I’d think about. I just kept thinking of them laying in a landfill.”

Vereb was charged in April, but lawmakers believe this case exposed a significant gap in Pennsylvania’s legal framework regarding the pet cremation industry. To address these concerns, Senate Bill 950 and House Bill 1750 were introduced this week. These bipartisan pieces of legislation aim to establish new standards for the industry, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-District 45) emphasized the importance of creating clear rules and processes for both cremation providers and consumers. “We had to create rules and regulations and identify how this was going to affect funeral homeowners and crematoriums and make sure that there was a clear process for how we expected the businesses to act and there was a clear process on how the consumers would interact with those as well,” he said.

The proposed bills include several key provisions. For instance, they require certification when remains are returned to pet owners and mandate that cremation providers keep detailed records of each cremation for at least five years. Additionally, the legislation includes an enforcement component, granting the Attorney General the authority to issue fines of up to $2,500 for violations. In severe cases, violators could also face license revocation.

Trussa expressed relief at the introduction of the bills, stating, “I’m very happy that an animal is worth their time because to me, my animals were my family.” While she acknowledges that no punishment can fully address the harm caused, she believes the new legislation is a crucial step toward rebuilding trust in the industry.

Rodney Little, founder of The Top Dog Therapy Team, echoed similar sentiments. “I personally don’t feel that there’s any punishment that could fit the crime at this point for how many people’s hearts he’s broken and how much trust is broken, but the new legislature is at least a start of rebuilding trust with the public.”

Little is planning an event in August to honor the pets affected by the scandal, including his own dog, Rocco. The event will take place on August 23 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Clair Park in Greensburg.

Other pet owners, like Trussa, are determined to seek justice for their four-legged family members. “I think he should do jail time and not just probation. I think he should go to jail,” she said.

As the debate over pet cremation practices continues, the proposed legislation represents a significant shift in how the industry is regulated. With increased oversight and accountability, pet owners hope to ensure that their beloved companions are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.