PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. (Courtesy: Office of the Chief PNP)
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday called on pet owners who may have been victimized by a pet crematorium in Bacoor City, Cavite to formally file complaints and submit evidence for official case build-up against the facility.
Meanwhile, some senators echoed public outrage over the discovery of 29 dead pets allegedly dumped into a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, saying they will look into the incident and revisit existing animal welfare laws to prevent similar cases in the future.
Nartatez issued the call following the discovery of 29 dead dogs and cats allegedly dumped in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan by workers of the Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium based in Bacoor.
Nartatez said the concerned pet owners should come forward and help investigators establish the alleged fraudulent transactions and identify those responsible.
“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. We will not tolerate acts that victimize the public and undermine the trust that should exist between service providers and the communities they serve,” Nartatez explained.
He directed police units in Bulacan and Cavite to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies and provide investigative assistance, particularly in identifying the individuals who transported and dumped the animal remains.
Among the possible cases being eyed in connection with the irregularity is estafa under the Revised Penal Code.
Other possible complaints included syndicated estafa and violations of the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
Affected customers may also pursue civil claims for damages, the PNP said.
Meanwhile, Nartatez encouraged complainants to preserve and submit receipts, cremation certificates, transaction records, and other relevant documents that could help establish possible violations of the law.
The investigators are also looking into the establishment’s business permits, equipment, CCTV footage, and procedures for handling pets entrusted to the facility.
Forensic examinations will also 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.
He also directed concerned police offices to work with barangay officials and local government units in securing and reviewing available closed-circuit television footage along the suspected route of the white van reportedly used in the dumping.
“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. The PNP will support efforts to establish accountability and ensure that all evidence of possible criminal wrongdoing is properly investigated,” he said.
Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said the incident was both infuriating and heartbreaking, emphasizing that pets are not merely animals under their owners’ care but also members of the family who deserve dignity even after death.
For her part, Senator Pia Cayetano is poised to file a resolution seeking a legislative inquiry into the incident, with the view of strengthening existing laws.
On the other hand, Senator Joel Villanueva called for a comprehensive multi-agency investigation and legal action following the discovery of improperly discarded dead animals in Bulacan
“Our pets give us unconditional love and loyalty. The least we can do is give them the care, protection, and dignity they deserve, even in their final resting place,” Ejercito said in a statement on Monday.
He welcomed the Bacoor City government’s decision to order the closure of the pet crematorium linked to the incident, as well as the ongoing police investigation, but stressed that those responsible must be held accountable.
Ejercito said refunds would not be enough to address the alleged negligence and possible abuse, emphasizing the need to ensure that businesses offering pet aftercare services comply with existing laws and regulations.
“We will ensure that this incident does not simply fade away. We will look into this matter in aid of legislation to determine what gaps need to be addressed and what measures can be strengthened to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” he said.
“I’ll be filing a resolution to look into this matter in aid of legislation to strengthen existing laws,” Cayetano said.
She said pet owners have the right to grieve and give their animals a proper farewell, adding that she understands the distress of families who entrusted their pets’ remains to a crematorium.
“As a pet owner, I understand the grief of losing a pet. A lot of us follow rituals for a proper goodbye,” she said.
Cayetano described the incident involving the pet crematorium in Cavite as a blatant display of negligence and disrespect toward the deceased animals, adding that the matter could have legal consequences.
“Pet owners have a right to demand fulfillment of the contract and seek damages for the harm and distress they have suffered,” she said.
She also raised concerns over the public health and sanitation implications of dumping animal remains in an open lot.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian likewise condemned the controversy, describing it as a 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.
He called on local government units and concerned agencies, including the Bureau of Animal Industry, to inspect and audit pet service providers nationwide, particularly crematoriums, to ensure they are properly licensed, comply with environmental regulations, and observe clear standards of conduct.
“As a pet parent, it is sad and disturbing to hear of this treatment of our pets, whom we consider members of the family,” he said.
The Animal Kingdom Foundation said 26 dogs and three cats were found dead and discarded in the vacant lot, condemning the incident as a grave disrespect for the animals.
“This is no longer just a tragedy. We refuse to let 29 innocent animal souls be forgotten, thrown away like trash in a vacant lot,” the organization said.
The incident centers on Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium, a Cavite-based company accused of abandoning uncremated dogs and cats in plastic bags along a street in Barangay Minuyan Proper.
“Bulakenyos are animal lovers. We do not want Bulacan to be known as a place that is complicit in animal cruelty. We cannot allow such acts to go unpunished,” he said.
The senator commended the National Bureau of Investigation for launching an immediate probe into the improper disposal and alleged consumer fraud and urged municipal governments to conduct thorough reviews of operating permits, routine inspections, and regulatory oversight for all pet cremation businesses.
Additionally, he requested that the Department of Trade and Industry assess potential deceptive trade practices and support grieving owners seeking legal recourse while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was tasked to examine potential infractions under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and related environmental regulations.
“The closure of the establishment should not be the end of the matter. Those responsible must answer under the law. How we treat animals speaks volumes about who we are as human beings. A society that values compassion must also protect those who cannot speak for themselves,” Villanueva said.