NATION IN BRIEF : NEW YORK : Pet Cemetery Owners Convicted of Fraud

The owners of the Long Island Pet Cemetery were convicted of federal fraud charges for dumping 250,000 pets in mass graves despite promises of more dignified services. Samuel Strauss, 71, and his son, Alan, 36, sat impassively as the jury foreman answered “guilty” to the 45 charges against each. Since 1984, thousands of owners paid hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars to have pets buried or cremated individually. Instead, carcasses were packed into pits and trenches, and mixed ashes were returned to owners. The verdicts could lead to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each count.