John Arcilla Wants Every Pet Crematorium Checked After Pet Remains Were Found Dumped in Bulacan
John Arcilla has joined the growing call for accountability after the remains of pets that were supposed to be cremated were found dumped in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. The award-winning actor, a longtime fur parent, said all pet crematoriums in the country should be investigated, as reported by ABS-CBN News.
In his Instagram post on November 1, John revealed that all 11 of his dogs were cremated after they died, mostly due to old age. “So, how can I confirm if all those urns contain the remains of my rightful furbabies?” he asked, adding that facilities should be checked if they are capable of operating, and that questionable ones should be closed and those responsible jailed, including staff who acted as accomplices.
“HINDI ITO OVERREACTION. We pay a good sum for these services, out of love for our pets, whom we consider members of our families,” the actor stressed. He also raised the possibility that some crematoriums with their own farm lots could simply bury the animals there and hand owners generic ashes instead.
John called the incident a crime and a form of estafa against fur parents who paid for a service they did not receive, according to INQUIRER.net. He also tagged animal welfare groups, including the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), which urged affected owners to file estafa complaints.
The remains were traced to Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium in Bacoor City, Cavite, which Mayor Strike Revilla has ordered closed. The city government said the business permit of the establishment did not cover animal cremation services and that the owner could not guarantee the ashes returned to customers belonged to their pets, according to GMA News. Revilla said the owner was no longer cooperating with the investigation, while the PNP on Tuesday urged pet owners who may have been victimized to come forward with receipts, cremation certificates and other records, as reported by Daily Tribune. Bacoor police said they are preparing criminal complaints against those who may be held liable.
For many fur parents, an urn is the last piece of a beloved companion, and John’s question is one that many are now quietly asking themselves.
