Another animal dumping site surfaces in Bulacan as probe into pet crematorium continues

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — A third site containing dumped animal remains has been discovered in San Jose del Monte City, raising further questions about the disposal of pets entrusted to a crematorium in Bacoor, Cavite.

Animal rescue group Luna and Furry Siblings discovered on Monday sacks containing dead dogs inside a septic tank in Barangay Minuyan IV, according to the account presented by the group.

The site is not far from Barangay Minuyan Proper, where 25 animal remains, 22 dogs and three cats, according to the earlier investigation, were found inside plastic bags in a vacant lot in late October.

The latest discovery adds to two earlier incidents in San Jose del Monte involving the dumping of animal remains, although authorities have yet to establish whether the cases are connected.

Jennifer Soro, a paraveterinary worker of the San Jose del Monte City Veterinary Office, said she had saw the remains inside the septic tank in November 2025, when she and barangay officials discovered the site.

Seven to eight sacks of decomposing animal remains were reportedly found inside the septic tank. Authorities have yet to confirm whether the sacks contained animals other than dogs.

Soro said the remains were left at the site after the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and police took over the matter.

“Pinaubaya na lang po sa CENRO at saka mga pulis, kasi sila na po iyong nag-take over dito. Hindi na po kami nangialam,” Soro said.

She said the remains were already decomposing and infested with maggots, and that the decision to leave them there was made on safety grounds, particularly for residents and people visiting the health center.

The septic tank discovery was not the only earlier incident that drew Soro’s attention.

On May 19, 2026, she also documented dead dogs scattered along a road in Barangay Minuyan V, with the animals similarly placed in plastic bags.

Soro later noticed similarities between the remains found in Minuyan V and those discovered in Minuyan Proper in October, including animal identification labels, weight markings, and the color of the sacks.

“Tsaka lang po namin napagtugma-tugma na parang iisa lang. Iyong time po na nagbabakuna ako dito sa Barangay Minuyan 5, nakita ko po iyong mga aso na nakakalat sa kalsada. Vinideo ko po,” Soro said.

“Tapos noong nakita ko nga iyong sa Minuyan Proper na pinost sa Facebook, nakita ko parehas doon sa vinideo ko, iyong sako at saka iyong mga code. May mga number, nakita ko. Tapos iyong sako, parehas iyong kulay,” she added.

These similarities have yet to be independently established as evidence linking the incidents, and authorities have not confirmed whether the animal remains came from the same source.

Barangay Minuyan IV officials declined to comment on the septic tank discovery. San Jose del Monte police chief also declined to issue a statement, saying an investigation was ongoing.

Meanwhile, Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla said the owner of Ahjay Paws Aftercare, identified as Jonathan Legaspi, was no longer cooperating with the investigation.

The crematorium was ordered closed on Saturday after it was implicated in the controversy over animal remains found in San Jose del Monte in October. The animals were reportedly supposed to have been cremated.

“Hindi na nakikipagtulungan sa imbestigasyon ang may-ari na si Mr. Jonathan Legaspi. Nagpasabi na lamang daw na hihintayin na lamang niya ang kasong isasampa laban sa kanya,” Revilla said.

ABS-CBN News was still seeking comment from Ahjay Paws Aftercare regarding the allegations as of publication. The crematorium had yet to respond.

The mayor urged other possible victims to coordinate with Bacoor police to help investigators build a case against the crematorium.

“Patuloy din po ang imbestigasyon ng atin pong kapulisan katuwang po ang city legal office upang matukkoy ang pananagutan ng mga sangkot, at magsampa ng mga naaangkop na kaso, kabilang na ang posibleng estafa,” Revilla said.

He said the city government was also planning an ordinance to regulate pet crematoriums and pet cemeteries in Bacoor, with clearer standards and stricter oversight.

The local government is also considering establishing its own pet crematorium. Revilla likewise appealed to the House of Representatives and the Senate to consider increasing penalties for violations of city ordinances.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said it was coordinating with Bacoor authorities to determine whether Ahjay Paws Aftercare underwent proper inspection before it was granted a business permit.

PAWS Executive Director Atty. Anna Cabrera said local authorities should have checked whether the facility had the proper incinerator before issuing a permit.

PAWS is also pushing for a proposed National Pet Crematorium Law that would require establishments to document every step of their operations to protect pet owners.

“There’s a push now for National Pet Crematorium Law para makita, they require establishments to document each and every step, in order to provide safety, safeguard interest of pet owners. They pay good money to have their pets disposed of properly and then ganito ang nangyari,” Cabrera said.