PNP urges pet owners to file raps vs crematorium over dumped remains

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) urged pet owners who may have been defrauded by a pet crematorium in Cavite to file complaints after 29 dead dogs and cats were found dumped in a vacant lot in Bulacan.

The deceased pets were reportedly taken to Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium in Bacoor City, Cavite, but their remains were later found in sacks dumped in a vacant lot in Barangay Minuyan Proper, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

READ: All dead pets dumped in Bulacan claimed by owners – rescue group

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“Any form of deception that exploits the trust of grieving pet owners is deeply concerning and must be addressed with the full force of the law,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Tuesday.

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“We will not tolerate acts that victimize the public and undermine the trust that should exist between service providers and the communities they serve,” he added.

Police units in Bulacan and Cavite were directed to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies and assist in identifying individuals allegedly involved in transporting and dumping the animal remains.

Possible charges against those responsible include estafa under Article 315(2)(a) of the Revised Penal Code and syndicated estafa.

They may also face complaints for violations of the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

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Affected customers may likewise file civil suits to seek damages.

“To the affected pet owners, we recognize the pain and distress this incident has caused your families,” Nartatez said.

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Complainants were urged to preserve and submit receipts, cremation certificates, transaction records, and other documents that could serve as evidence of possible violations.

Investigators are also looking into the establishment’s business permits, equipment, CCTV footage, and procedures for handling animals entrusted to the facility.

Authorities will conduct forensic examinations to establish whether the recovered remains belonged to pets brought to the crematorium.

They will also verify whether the ashes returned to owners were authentic.

All concerned police offices were instructed to coordinate with barangay officials and local government units to secure and review CCTV footage along the suspected route of the white van reportedly used to dump the remains.

“Fraud is not measured solely by the amount of money taken, but also by the damage inflicted on the people whose trust has been betrayed,” Nartatez said.

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“The PNP will support efforts to establish accountability and ensure that all evidence of possible criminal wrongdoing is properly investigated,” he added. /mcm