Trigger warning: Contains references to animal death and animal remains
The remains of 26 dogs and three cats were found dumped in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte (CSJDM), Bulacan.
In a social media post, animal welfare group Luna and Furry Siblings (LFS) said its members examined the remains of all 29 animals individually using a microchip scanner borrowed from PetMed Animal Clinic in hopes of identifying their owners.
However, none of the animals was found to have a detectable microchip.
The remains were found in individual plastic bags bearing names and weight labels.
The group also reported spotting a modified tricycle, locally known as a “kulong-kulong,” in the area around the time of the incident.
The animals identified through the labels included:
Dogs:
- Sakura – 14.5 kg
- Sweet – 14.8 kg
- Brandon – 28.4 kg and
- Dara 29.9 kg
- Red – 3.8 kg
- Dos – 2.5 kg
- Ivy – 14.6 kg
- Jedy – 2.14 kg
- Crunch – 20.1 kg
- Akira – 18.1 kg
- Jennifer – 3.5 kg
Cats:
- Ira – Calico
- Lucky – Black, 2.4 kg
- Chelsea – 2.2 kg
The animal welfare group appealed to pet owners who lost their animals or availed of cremation and other aftercare services this year in SJDM and nearby areas to check their records and receipts to help identify the remains and determine those responsible.
The group's uploader said they personally visited six veterinary clinics and two pet cremation service providers in the area to gather information.
The group is continuing to collect information while awaiting action from authorities. It also appealed to the public to report any information about local breeders or facilities that use similar labeling methods.
The remains of the animals have since been laid to rest, according to the group.
The incident drew condemnation from netizens, including Akbayan party-list Representative Perci Cendaña, who described the disposal of the animals as both “heartbreaking and infuriating.“
“It is heartbreaking and angering to see the remains of dogs and cats dumped like ordinary garbage. Even animals deserve a proper burial,” Cendaña said.
He added that if pet aftercare facilities were found responsible for dumping the remains, they should be held accountable, with their business permits potentially suspended.
Cendaña also renewed his call for the passage of the proposed “ALAGA Bill,“ which seeks to establish regulations for animal control facilities and ensure proper reporting and documentation for pets.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Animal Rescue Team (PART) has urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
The call comes as a fur parent seeks answers after recognizing what they believe to be the remains of their deceased pet dog among the bodies recovered at the site.
According to the fur parent, they had entrusted their beloved pet to a cremation service, believing that the dog had been properly cremated. However, they were shocked to discover that its remains were allegedly among those dumped in the area.
