Did your pet really get cremated? PNP urges fur parents to file complaints

MANILA (UPDATED) — Pet owners who entrusted their beloved fur babies to a pet crematorium in Cavite are being urged to come forward and file complaints after the remains of 29 dogs and cats were allegedly dumped in a vacant lot in Bulacan.

The Philippine National Police is asking possible victims to submit receipts, cremation certificates, transaction records and other documents that could help establish whether they were defrauded by Ahjay Paws Aftercare in Bacoor City.

PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities are determined to hold accountable those who allegedly took advantage of grieving pet owners.

“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,” Nartatez said in a statement.

PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said the PNP is also looking into having the ashes returned to pet owners examined by the PNP Crime Laboratory to determine whether these were authentic.

The police official added that investigators are still piecing together the evidence, including claims from other pet cremation service providers denying involvement in the incident.

Authorities are also looking into reports that the alleged practice may have been going on for years.

“If we need to go back to those years before and still keeping the ashes of their pets, titingnan natin lahat ‘yan. Kung may makikita tayo 3, 4 or even more years before ay meron hindi naman pal ashes so that means matagal na nilang ginagawa,” Co said. 

“I’ve also heard some companies offering these services denying na totoo daw so ibig sabihin lahat ito titingnan natin, mapapagtagpi-tagpi natin ‘yan and we will see a clearer picture and that’s the time that we need to discuss kung appropriate ba na mag-file ng charges,” he added. 

Nartatez has also directed police units in Bulacan and Cavite to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to identify those who allegedly transported and dumped the animal remains in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Investigators are also examining the crematorium’s business permits, equipment, CCTV footage and procedures for handling pets entrusted to the facility.

Forensic examinations will be conducted to determine whether the recovered remains belonged to animals brought to the crematorium and whether the ashes returned to their owners were authentic.

Police are also coordinating with barangay officials and local government units to obtain 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.

Possible charges include estafa, syndicated estafa, and violations of the Code on Sanitation, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Affected pet owners may also pursue civil claims for damages.

Nartatez assured victims that the PNP would assist in the investigation, stressing that the alleged scheme involved not only financial losses but also the betrayal of the trust of families mourning the loss of their pets.

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