PNP: Pet crematorium faces 250 cases

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 250 people are set to file complaints against a pet crematorium in Bacoor, Cavite accused of unauthorized and illegal dumping of pet remains, the Philippine National Police said yesterday.

PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said it was the latest information relayed by the Bacoor police in connection with Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium, which was castigated after the remains of 29 pets that were supposed to be cremated in the facility were found dumped in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

Twenty-six of the dumped pets were dogs while three were cats, according to Bulacan police director Col. Jay Baybayan.

Seventeen of the animals had already been identified by their owners while the police have started examining the supposed ashes received by pet owners from the crematorium, Co said.

“There were already a total of 250 (persons) who have come forward to file complaints,” said Co at a news briefing in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

He said the management of the crematorium could face estafa cases as well as civil damages.

The Bacoor police are in touch with Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium, particularly the owner, for their side in the controversy.

Co urged the owner to come forward and put their denial in writing.

Meanwhile, Bacoor police chief Lt. Col. Alexie Desamito has ordered an investigation on one of their personnel who allegedly made insensitive remarks about the remains of the pets.

The unnamed police officer was quoted in a viral Facebook post saying in Filipino, “What do you want to know, if the ashes were that of a dog or dinosaur?”

Desamito vowed to impose sanctions as she emphasized that they will never tolerate any form of misconduct, disrespectful remarks of unprofessional behavior from their personnel.

“All police personnel are expected to uphold discipline, proper decorum, respect and professionalism both in the performance of official duties and in personal interactions, including on social media,” she said.

The National Bureau of Investigation will summon the owners of the pet crematorium in connection with the dumping of dozens of dead dogs and cats.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said on Tuesday the bureau would issue subpoenas and require the owner and operator of the pet crematorium to submit documents related to their establishment.

The recent discovery involving dead dogs and cats was made on Tuesday in an abandoned placenta pit located beside a health center in Barangay Minuyan 4 in Bulacan.

The NBI launched an investigation on Nov. 2 after remains of 25 animal were found in the area.

“We can subpoena the personalities, the people involved as well as their documents. They should definitely have records,” Matibag said during a meeting with animal welfare groups and pet owners.

Pet owners complained they hired the services of the Ahjay Paws for the cremation of their pets.

As this developed, San Jose del Monte Mayor Florida Robes said probers are looking at the possibility that some city residents are involved in the dumping of dead dogs and cats.

Robes made the remark after a crematorium employee reportedly surfaced and provided information about the matter.

The mayor said investigators were expected to complete the probe within the day. She did not identify people who are subjects of investigation.

Robes said the city government is coordinating with the PNP, the Department of Health and the local environment office for the immediate resolution of the case.

Meanwhile, the PNP has started examining ashes collected from Ahjay Paws to determine if these were from dead animals sent for cremation.

PNP spokesman Co said the ashes were sent to the PNP forensic laboratory for examination. –  Mark Ernest Villeza, Ramon Efren Lazaro