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Bronx Vet Accused Of Promising To Have Pets Cremated & Dumping Them Instead

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Bronx veterinarian is facing disturbing accusations of dumping dozens of animal carcasses along a highway.

WCBS 880's Sean Adams On The Story

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Dr. Andrew Manesis, a vet whose practice is in Throggs Neck, left his office in a hurry on Tuesday, running from allegations about dumping 26 cats, eight dogs and a lizard near the Hutchinson River Parkway in April, CBS 2's Pablo Guzman reported.

"[We're] grossly defending these allegations. We have a counsel for the hospital and I wish that this would be resolved. This is a disdainful situation," Manesis said.

Menesis is accused of taking people's money to have their pets cremated and allegedly keeping the money while dumping the animals along the road.

Anthony LoBosco, a former client of the vet, said Dr. Manesis told him his cat had a virus that would go away. Instead, another vet discovered something far more serious.

"They just felt it for a second. The cat had a softball-size tumor in his stomach. They had to put the cat to sleep immediately," LoBosco said.

The investigation was carried out by the Westchester SPCA and Westchester County Police.

"It was very, very disturbing -- reason being people place a lot of trust and faith in the vets. What he did was he betrayed that trust of his clients," said Ernest Lungaro of the Westchester SPCA.

Westchester police tracked down the owner of a discarded cat from a shoebox the animal was in.

"The serial number from that shoebox was subpoenaed and the business records revealed the owner of the cat. That owner brought us to the veterinary office in the Bronx," Sgt. Edward Reich said.

Dr. Menesis is not only facing a possible year in jail, but the loss of his license.

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