Remains of 26 dogs, 3 cats found in plastic bags dumped along Bulacan roadside

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Decomposing remains of 26 dogs and three cats were found sealed in plastic bags and dumped along New Town Street in Barangay Minuyan Proper, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.

In a "24 Oras Weekend" report by Vonne Aquino on Saturday, residents said they discovered the remains on Wednesday morning after noticing a foul odor at the site.

“May sasakyan po dito na huminto tapos nagmane-obra. Tapos di ko po napansin yung mga nagbaba, ang napansin ko lang po isang lalaki bumaba po tapos di ko napansin kasi umalis na ako non,” a resident recalled.

(A vehicle stopped here and maneuvered. I didn't see everyone who got off, but I noticed one man step out. I didn't pay much attention after that because I left.)

“‘Di ko po alam na may itinapon, tapos pagkagising ko po ng umaga may mga sako na po dito na akala ko lang po mga basura. Nape-perwisyo po ‘yung mga nakatira dito kasi ano po eh di po kinakaya ‘yung amoy,” the resident added.

(I didn't know anything was dumped. When I woke up in the morning, there were sacks here that I initially assumed were just garbage. Residents here are suffering from the unbearable smell.)

The names of the pets, along with their respective weights, were also found taped to the plastic bags.

A nearby worker also initially mistook the bags for ordinary trash.

“Akala namin basura lang, kinabukasan pagdating namin may amoy na… nagreklamo ako sa barangay,” Ronnie said.

(We thought it was just garbage, but the next day when we arrived, there was already a stench… so I filed a complaint with the barangay.)

Citing health concerns, local authorities immediately buried the animals' remains in a nearby vacant lot.

“Need na po namin ilibing… ngayon nga may amoy pa, ‘di ba. Nagdalawang hukay kami,” said Dories Servidad, supervisor of the Barangay Minuyan Material Recovery Facility.

(We needed to bury them immediately… even now, the smell persists. We had to dig two pits.)

Local authorities vowed to pursue charges against those responsible, noting that several pet owners had already come forward to claim some of the animals.

“We’re coming for you, we’re going to find you, and we will make you pay. There’s no excuse. What you did is disrespectful, [with] no regard for animals. And especially these animals were turned over to somebody to have their forever rest, and this is what they did with them? Disgusting,” said Chris Taylor, founder of Luna and Furry Siblings Animal Welfare and Rescue.

The San Jose del Monte City Police said they would investigate the incident to identify those who dumped the remains and track down the pets' owners.

“Magba-backtrack po kami para makita yung plate number tsaka yung mga may-ari nung mga hayop nung itinapon dito. Kung mapatunayan na totoo na nagkasala yung nagtapon dito ay file-an po natin ng kaukulang demanda,” Acting Chief of Police P/Lt. Col. Nelson Sardin said.

(We will backtrack to check the vehicle's license plate and identify the owners of the animals dumped here. If it is established that those responsible committed an offense, we will file the appropriate charges.)

The Animal Kingdom Foundation also expressed readiness to assist in filing criminal charges against the individuals or group involved.

According to lawyer Heidi Caguioa, the foundation's program director, the perpetrators could face charges for violating the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and estafa (fraud), if they are found to have deceived pet owners who paid for proper cremation or disposal services.

“This case is simply not an issue of improper waste disposal. It is an issue of accountability, professional responsibility, and respect for life,” Caguioa said.

“We cannot claim to be a society na nagva-value ng (that values) animal welfare if we cannot even ensure that our animals who have died are treated humanely and disposed with respect and dignity,” she added.— Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/MCG, GMA News

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