- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Las Vegas Pet Cremation Owner Charged with Fraud
Customers say they paid for cremations and keepsakes but never received them
Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:39am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The owner of a Las Vegas pet cremation business, 1st Call Pet Cremation and Budget Pet Cremation, is facing a criminal complaint from the Nevada Attorney General's Office. Prosecutors allege that Rick Senninger took thousands of dollars from at least 11 victims who paid for cremations and memorial items that were never delivered. Remains were later found dumped at sites in Utah, leading to charges against a contractor hired by Senninger.
Why it matters
This case highlights the importance of regulation and oversight in the pet cremation industry, where grieving families are vulnerable to potential fraud and mishandling of their pets' remains. It also raises questions about consumer protections and the need for clear policies and procedures to ensure pet owners receive the services they pay for.
The details
According to the Nevada Attorney General's Office, Senninger is accused of taking thousands of dollars from at least 11 victims who paid for cremations and memorial items that were never provided. Investigators in Utah discovered three separate dump sites between October 2023 and February 2024 that contained roughly 40 to 42 animals, some of which were traced back to Las Vegas pet owners. A contractor hired by Senninger, McKenzie Frei, pleaded guilty to unlawfully disposing of animal carcasses.
- In mid-2023, the Better Business Bureau's profile for 1st Call Pet Cremation showed a spike in customer complaints.
- Between October 2023 and February 2024, investigators in Utah discovered three separate dump sites containing the remains of approximately 40 to 42 animals.
- On February 20, 2026, a preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled in Clark County Justice Court.
The players
Rick Senninger
The owner of 1st Call Pet Cremation and Budget Pet Cremation, a Las Vegas pet cremation business, who is facing a criminal complaint from the Nevada Attorney General's Office.
McKenzie Frei
A contractor hired by Senninger who pleaded guilty to unlawfully disposing of animal carcasses.
Nevada Attorney General's Office
The state agency that filed a criminal complaint against Senninger, alleging he took thousands of dollars from at least 11 victims who paid for cremations and memorial items that were never delivered.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights the importance of regulation and oversight in the pet cremation industry, where grieving families are vulnerable to potential fraud and mishandling of their pets' remains. It also raises questions about consumer protections and the need for clear policies and procedures to ensure pet owners receive the services they pay for.
