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

The pet owner, JB Castillo, said they saw Joker, a mixed breed, last on April 18, 2026. 

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

And he was shocked even more when his neighbor admitted to having burned the dog.

“Kulang na ng isa ang aso namin. Hinanap siya until hapon. Ang aso, nandyan talaga sa apoy. Pinull-out lang niya (ng kapitbahay) mula sa apoy," Castillo said. 

DEFENSE

The neighbor identified only as alias Romeo said the dog was already dead and was reportedly 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.