A total of 153 pet owners have formally filed complaints at the Bacoor City Police Station against a local pet crematorium following allegations of consumer fraud and the improper disposal of deceased animals. Police reported the development on Tuesday, November 3.
Bacoor City Police Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Alexie Desamito stated that the number of complainants is expected to grow as more victims step forward. The investigation was triggered by the discovery of animal remains in a vacant lot in Barangay Minuyan Proper, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, on Friday.
Authorities confirmed the recovered remains belonged to 22 dogs and three cats, which initial probes indicate were transported from Bacoor.
The Bacoor City government later identified the establishment involved as Ahjay Paws Aftercare. Desamito noted that investigators are actively gathering sworn statements and evidence to strengthen a criminal case against those responsible.
“Sa ngayon, 153 na so far iyong dumulog sa ating tanggapan sa City Police Station to formally file their complaint. So, sinisikap natin, nasa proseso kami ngayon na kinakalap natin lahat ng available evidences and their statements to support the filing of criminal case against those iyong mga tinuturo po na salarin,” Desamito said.
The scandal has reopened deep emotional wounds for grieving pet owners who trusted the facility to properly handle their deceased companions. Rather than seeking monetary refunds, affected owners are pushing for strict legal accountability.
“Iyong concern nila talagang mabigat sa loob nila iyong nangyari kasi naloko sila and bumalik iyong alaala noong pagluluksa nila doon sa mga namatay nilang pets. Of course, nagkaroon ng transaksyon, tumanggap ng pera iyong kausap nila na business establishment, kapalit no’n ay ike-cremate iyong alaga nila,” Desamito explained.
“But then malalaman nila and ma-di-discover na nanduo’n pala iyong katawan pa at itinapon lang kung saan. So, gusto nila dito po ay katarungan. Hindi lang iyong simpleng reimbursement kasi hindi na daw po pera ang pinag-uusapan dito,” she added.
In response to the incident, Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla ordered the immediate shutdown of Ahjay Paws Aftercare on Saturday night, with the Business Permits and Licensing Department issuing a formal closure order.
As of November 2, Mayor Revilla reported that the owner of the establishment has refused to cooperate with authorities, reportedly stating that he would simply wait for a formal case to be filed against him.
Meanwhile, police are investigating whether other individuals or partner service providers were involved in the dumping, though authorities note that these claims remain unverified.
“May mga hearsay na ganyan na narinig po tayo. Pero as far as verification ko sa investigators natin, hindi ko pa ma-establish na talaga ‘yan sir. Pero tinitingnan po namin iyon,” Desamito said.