A pet owner in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental is bent on pressing charges against her neighbor who admitted to burning her dog.

The pet owner, JB Castillo, said they saw Joker, a mixed breed, last on April 18, 2026. They were reportedly used to the dog leaving the house and going around the neighborhood.

But Joker did not return home, this time, prompting JB to look for him. To her shock, she saw her dog on top of embers at her neighbor's property.

And she was shocked even more when her neighbor admitted to having burned the dog.

“Kulang na isa ang aking alaga. Hinanap pa namin siya. Sabi ko (sa kapitbahay), nakita mo ba ang aso? Sabi niya, baka iyon ang sinunog ko. Nasa apoy talaga ang aso, kinuha lang niya kasi raw wala siyang enough time, may pupuntahan pa siya,” Castillo said.

DEFENSE

The neighbor identified only as alias Romeo said the dog was already dead and was emitting a foul smell before he burned the animal, something that JB does not believe.

“According to his claim, ang aso, masama na ang amoy niya, bloated na. It will still remain questionable ang cause of death. Bakit hindi mo ipinaalam sa may-ari o sa caretaker para mabigyan ng proper burial?” Castillo said.

JB’s family plans to have Joker’s remains autopsied.

According to the Community Animal Rescue Efforts, Inc., what Romeo did was tantamount to animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act.

“Regardless, sinunog niya. Act of cruelty pa rin iyon. Sana inilibing, hinanap ang owner. Number one, hindi acceptable na kung may patay na dogs or cats, susunugin mo,” said Lowella Sanicas, the organization’s information officer.