Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty in Fake Pet Cremation Scheme

Rodney Ward charged with felony theft and property destruction after pet owners received sand and concrete instead of ashes

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A Baltimore County man has pleaded guilty to felony theft and malicious destruction of property charges related to running a fraudulent pet cremation business. Authorities say Rodney Ward collected hundreds of dollars from pet owners but instead of cremating their animals, he provided them with bags of sand and concrete, while the remains of over three dozen pets were found decomposing in a hearse on his property.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of grieving pet owners and the need for stronger regulation and oversight of the pet cremation industry to prevent such deceptive and unethical practices that take advantage of people during a difficult time.

The details

Rodney Ward was charged after multiple pet owners reported paying up to $500 for bags of sand and concrete, rather than the cremated remains of their beloved pets. Authorities later discovered the bodies of eight pets that were supposed to have been cremated in a wooded area, and a hearse on Ward's property contained over three dozen decomposing animal remains.

  • Ward pleaded guilty in February 2026.
  • The investigation into Ward's fraudulent cremation business began last spring.

The players

Rodney Ward

The Baltimore County man who pleaded guilty to felony theft and property destruction charges for running a fake pet cremation business.

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What’s next

Ward is scheduled to be sentenced for his crimes in April 2026.

The takeaway

This disturbing case underscores the importance of thorough vetting and regulation of pet service providers, especially those handling the remains of beloved companion animals, to ensure grieving families are not exploited during their time of loss.