NBI Launches Probe On Pet Crematorium; Pia Cayetano To File Resolution To Look Into Dumping Of Animal Remains

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has launched a probe into a pet crematorium following the discovery of 25 animal remains in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and complaints from pet owners who paid for cremation services.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag directed several bureau divisions, led by the Environmental Crimes Division, on Monday, Nov. 2, to investigate Bacoor City-based Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium and determine whether pet owners were deceived.

The investigation will also be supported by NBI regional offices in Calabarzon and central Luzon.

Matibag said the bureau would look into possible estafa charges under Article 315(2)(a) of the Revised Penal Code against the crematorium, if evidence shows that payments were collected for services not actually rendered.

“It is unacceptable that the trust and hard-earned money of pet owners were repaid with fraud. Instead of being properly cremated, their pets’ remains were allegedly discarded like garbage,” Matibag said, adding the alleged disposal of animal remains, instead of proper cremation, was a betrayal of public trust.

The NBI will examine the facility’s business permits, equipment, closed-circuit television footage and records documenting the handling of animal remains.

Matibag urged affected pet owners to submit receipts, cremation certificates and relevant communications to the NBI headquarters to help build a case.

Initially, it was reported that 29 pets (26 dogs and three cats) were dumped in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan but this was corrected as the final count showed there were only 25.

Aside from the 25 animal remains, two more dumping sites were reported by Luna and Furry Siblings on Sunday, Nov. 1, also in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. According to the animal welfare and rescue group, there were 14 bodies in Minuyan 4 and 30 to 40 in Minuyan 5.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) called on the government on Monday to conduct a nationwide investigation on the operations of pet crematoriums.

“The reported discovery of the remains of deceased companion animals allegedly dumped instead of being cremated has raised serious concerns about the integrity of pet cremation services in the Philippines,” PAWS said.

It called on the “appropriate government agencies to investigate not only the establishment involved in the reported incident, but also other pet crematoria operating throughout the country.”

Senate resolution

Sen. Pia Cayetano said on Monday she would file a resolution to look into this matter in aid of legislation to strengthen existing laws.

“Pets are beloved members of many families. As a pet owner, I understand the grief of losing a pet. A lot of us follow rituals for a proper goodbye. The reported incident involving a crematorium based in Cavite is a wanton display of negligence and disdain for the deceased pets and is actionable. Pet owners have a right to demand fulfillment of the contract and seek damages for the harm and distress they have suffered,” Cayetano noted.

She also stressed the dumping of the remains in a vacant lot by the roadside raises health and sanitation concerns and may constitute another violation.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said on Monday what happened was enraging and saddening, and that it was unacceptable for a pet crematorium to take advantage of grieving pet owners.

Pangilinan warned that perpetrators could face charges based on Republic Act No. 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, local ordinances on sanitation and Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code for estafa.

He said the pet owners could also seeks damages for violation of contractual obligations under Article 1170 of the Civil Code.

Pangilinan emphasized the people responsible for the dumping of remains must be held accountable under the country’s laws.

He called on concerned local government and agencies to look into the matter and provide assistance to pet owners so they could file appropriate charges.

During the 15th Congress, Pangilinan said he worked with PAWS to amend the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 through Republic Act No. 10631, which strengthened the penalties against animal cruelty, neglect and abuse.

According to Pangilinan, he is pushing for further protection of animals by filing Senate Bill No. 2501 o Revised Animal Welfare Act, also known as Dolly’s Act, which proposes the creation of an Animal Welfare Bureau that would implement the laws to promote animal welfare.

These include giving them ample food, water, shelter, access to veterinary services and protection against cruelty.

In the final version of the proposed law, Pangilinan said facilities like pet crematoriums will be included, Pangilinan said, noting that love for pets must not end with their passing, they must also be accorded respect and dignity when being brought to their final resting place.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian likewise demanded stricter accountability for pet service providers.

“The distressing discovery of deceased pets abandoned in sacks in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, is a blatant violation of environmental and sanitation laws. Worse, grieving pet owners paid for a decent final farewell for their beloved companion animals, only for them to be dumped like garbage on a roadside. This is a clear case of fraud and those responsible for such an offense must be held accountable,” Gatchalian said in a statement on Nov. 1.

“I urge the LGUs (local government units) across the country and agencies concerned, such as the Bureau of Animal Industry, to inspect and audit all operating pet service providers, including crematoriums, to ensure that such businesses are licensed, environmentally compliant, and held to clear standards of integrity so no family is ever subjected to this cruelty,” he added.

As a pet parent, Gatchalian said it was saddening and worrying that pets that were treated like members of families were treated in such a way.