Ivy was supposed to be cremated. So why was her body found in a plastic bag?
Dr. Geoff Carullo, DVM, FPCCP, DPCVSCA
- News
- 3 min read
The Bulacan Animal Remains Controversy Takes a Disturbing Turn
What began as the shocking discovery of 29 dead animals dumped in a vacant lot in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, has taken a heartbreaking turn.
A grieving family has come forward, identifying what they believe to be the remains of their beloved dog, Ivy, among the discarded animals.
And the evidence they have presented raises serious questions about a pet cremation service.
Ivy, a 10-year-old dog, passed away on October 23, 2026.
Her family entrusted her remains to AhJay Paws Aftercare & Pet Crematorium, which they identified as operating in Bacoor, Cavite.
They wanted what every grieving pet owner deserves: a dignified farewell.
Photographs show Ivy surrounded by flowers during a memorial viewing. Her family gathered around her, saying their final goodbyes.
They eventually received a beautiful urn bearing Ivy’s name and the date of her passing.
They believed Ivy had been cremated.
They believed she was finally home.
But then came the discovery in Bulacan.
Among the 29 discarded animal remains was a plastic-wrapped body bearing the name IVY — 14.6 KILOGRAMS.
The name and weight match the information shown in the family’s correspondence with the aftercare provider.
The family’s photographs, the recorded weight, and the identification label provide a disturbing connection that investigators must urgently examine.
And now the question that every pet owner should be asking:
This is no longer simply about improper disposal of animal remains.
It raises the possibility of serious consumer deception, breach of trust, and improper handling of deceased animals.
But investigators must establish exactly what happened, who handled the remains, and who was responsible for their disposal.
The family has publicly identified the aftercare establishment involved. The company deserves an opportunity to explain its records, procedures, and version of events.
Meanwhile, the discovery of 26 dogs and three cats has raised questions about whether other families may have experienced something similar.
If the allegations are substantiated, this could become a major scandal for the Philippine pet aftercare industry.
And it should concern veterinarians, too.
Many veterinary clinics recommend cremation services to grieving clients. We entrust these companies with animals whose owners have placed enormous faith in us.
When an aftercare provider betrays that trust, the credibility of the veterinary profession can suffer alongside it.
There must be an investigation, proper documentation, identification of those responsible, and accountability under applicable laws.
San Jose del Monte even has a local ordinance specifically prohibiting the dumping of animal carcasses in public and open spaces.
But beyond the legal implications is something deeply human.
Imagine mourning your dog, paying for a beautiful farewell, receiving an urn, and spending days believing your beloved companion was finally resting peacefully at home.
Only to discover photographs suggesting that the same dog had been discarded in a vacant lot.
Ivy’s family already said goodbye once.
Now they are being forced to confront the possibility that the farewell they paid for was not the farewell Ivy received.
The family deserves answers.
The other 28 animals deserve identification.
And every pet owner who has entrusted a beloved companion to an aftercare provider deserves the truth.
Because even in death, our pets deserve dignity.
Editor’s note: The identification of Ivy and the allegations involving the named aftercare provider are based on the family’s publicly shared photographs, correspondence, and statements. The establishment’s responsibility for the dumping, the identity of all remains, and the contents of the urn have not yet been independently established.
