Pet Owners Discover Ashes Are Not Their Pets’ in Cremation Scandal

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Thousands of pet owners in the Pittsburgh area learned that the ashes they received after cremation may not belong to their beloved animals. This includes Bobbi Loveridge, an assistant professor at Pierpont Community and Technical College in Clarksburg, West Virginia, who was shocked to discover the truth about her pets’ remains.

Loveridge received the ashes of her three pets between 2021 and 2024. Last week, the Pennsylvania Attorney General‘s Office announced charges against David Sunday, the owner of Eternity Pet Memorials. The charges include deceptive business practices and theft by deception involving over 6,500 pet owners and $650,000 in damages.

According to the Attorney General’s press release, many afflicted customers did not receive their pets’ ashes but were given ashes from unknown animals. “Total shock, disbelief, deceived, was kind of the worst thing you could ever hear,” said Loveridge, expressing her devastation upon learning that her cat Lilac and dog Lewi were not cremated.

Loveridge confirmed that her Rottweiler mix Neyely was cremated, but it remains unclear what portion of her ashes are with Loveridge and what might have been mixed with others. Neyely was a beloved companion and even attended classes with Loveridge.

“I had every intent of having them put into resin… I feel like there was a reason maybe that I hadn’t because maybe that’s the only ashes that I do have of hers,” said Loveridge, reflecting on her emotional journey. In her home, she has a memorial light-up orb made from what was supposed to be Neyely’s ashes, which she chose to keep lit as a tribute.

Loveridge stated that she would opt for cremation services she can observe in the future, as her trust in the system has been compromised. She originally believed Sunday was trustworthy because he was recommended by the Loyalhanna Animal Clinic, where she previously worked.

The private cremation service for her three pets totaled $290. When asked about potential refunds after the legal proceedings, Loveridge expressed her intent to donate any funds received, stating, “It’s dirty money, probably going to donate it if there is anything.”

Later, think about it further, she mentioned that a settlement could lead her to create a scholarship for vet tech students to honor her pets. As of now, Loveridge is part of a class-action lawsuit against Sunday, seeking accountability for the mishandling of pet remains.

Vereb has waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and the charges will proceed in the court of common pleas with no date set yet.