A Bronx veterinarian who promised owners proper burials for their beloved pets has been arrested and accused of dumping remains of animals along the Hutchinson River Parkway.
The animals discovered last month included dogs, cats and a lizard. The SPCA said they had been euthanized before they were dumped.
Police say the veterinarian, Andrew Manesis, accepted cash for "proper burial" and then dumped the bodies. He collected anywhere from $100 to $300 per animal, according to authorities.
"I think it's particularly egregious because many pet owners treat their pets as family," said Westchester County Public Safety Sgt. Edward Reich. "They regard them as family members."
Manesis told NBC 4 New York the allegations were "false" as he left the Westchester police station Tuesday, but declined to answer any other questions about the case.
The remains were found near an entrance ramp to the Hutchinson River Parkway in Harrison.
The animals were in varying states of decay and some appeared to have been there for months.
A veterinarian in Mount Vernon performed necropsies on five of the animals and found no signs of abuse.
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