Criminal raps filed vs pet crematorium owner

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed yesterday criminal complaints against the owner of a pet crematorium in Cavite and three other people in connection with the dumping of dead dogs and cats in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau recommended charges of estafa and violation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 against the owner of Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium, a couple operating a subcontracted crematorium in Bulacan and a man hired to dispose of the dead dogs and cats.

Earlier, the couple executed sworn statements in the presence of their legal counsel.

Matibag said the NBI found out that the Bacoor-based crematorium did not receive the cremation machine it supposedly acquired from the couple, prompting the business owner to send the dead animals to their facility in Bulacan.

Initially, the couple cremated the animals and gave the ashes to pet owners.

But when the number of carcasses increased, the couple allegedly hired people to bury or dump the dead animals at three sites in San Jose del Monte.

“Both parties have knowledge of what was happening and they were communicating with each other. Both have substantial responsibilities,” Matibag said.

The NBI is also seeking a lookout bulletin order against the crematorium owner and the couple.

The bureau is considering filing additional charges under consumer protection laws.

Matibag said the bureau would subpoena officials of the Bacoor City business permits and licensing office to determine how the crematorium secured permits and operated for about a year despite the alleged lack of equipment.

The NBI identified 25 pet owners who hired the crematorium’s services, but only five had completed the complaint process as of yesterday.

Matibag urged other affected pet owners to come forward and file complaints, particularly now that the NBI has established the identities of people involved in the scheme.

He said the investigation is almost complete and the remaining work only involves additional complainants and verification of their transactions.

12 dogs, cats poisoned in Cavite

Meanwhile, animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)-Asia offered a cash reward of P20,000 for information that can lead to the arrest of people behind the alleged deliberate poisoning of 12 dogs and cats in Alfonso, Cavite.

“Anyone who deliberately poisons dogs and cats poses danger to every animal in the neighborhood. Leaving poison where animals can reach it can have deadly consequences. PETA is urging anyone with information to speak up now before another animal is harmed,” PETA Asia president Jason Baker said.

Eight dogs and four cats died after they reportedly consumed rice mixed with a blue substance in Barangay Kaytiting Tres.

Authorities found the food mixture in the area.

PETA said scattering poison in a neighborhood could kill any animal that encounters it.

Anyone with information about the incident has been encouraged to contact the Alfonso police.

31 rescued dogs, cats get adopted

In Pangasinan, 31 rescued cats and dogs found new homes after they were taken for adoption during an event in Urdaneta City on Thursday.

The fur babies were taken  in by families who flocked to a mall where a pet adoption activity was being conducted by the mall management in partnership with Luca’s Sanctuary & Cawa’s Gang, and the JCI Rosales Padyak.

The event brought together animal welfare advocates, pet lovers and aspiring pet owners who took home 13 kittens, 11 adult cats and seven dogs. — Bella Cariaso, Cesar Ramirez