BREAKING: Christopher Settle, owner of Angel Paws Pet Cremation in San Marcos, California, was arrested on Tuesday for alleged grand theft, revealing a shocking and disturbing situation involving the remains of deceased pets. Prosecutors claim that Settle engaged in a scheme where he accepted payments for cremations but instead left pets in freezers to decompose, distributing false ashes to grieving owners.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the arrest, which took place at Settle’s home in Temecula. He was released on bond the following day and is scheduled to appear in court on December 10, 2023. This urgent update follows numerous complaints from clients who reported that they were unable to reach the crematory for weeks, leading to a foul odor emanating from the facility.
Reports indicate that the situation at Angel Paws had been deteriorating for months. The local power company cut off gas and electricity on July 9 due to unpaid bills, potentially leaving the carcasses to decompose for up to five months before Settle’s eviction in November. An affidavit obtained by the San Diego Union-Tribune revealed that Settle’s incinerator operating permit had expired in March 2024.
Former clients gathered outside Angel Paws in late September, demanding answers, prompting a response from deputies. Initially unresponsive, Settle eventually allowed clients inside, where they were met with a “grisly” scene described by local cremation owner Gerry Wellman. “It’s just a fiasco,” Wellman said, emphasizing the emotional toll on families awaiting their pets’ remains.
Wellman, owner of Sorrento Valley Pet Cemetery, stepped in to help after witnessing the horrific conditions firsthand. He noted that when Settle tried to deliver more than 40 pets in a U-Haul truck, many were found in deplorable conditions, with some bodies showing signs of maggot infestation. “We couldn’t even do inventory,” Wellman reported. “These were pets that had maggots. They were in such a deplorable state.”
Clients have expressed feelings of betrayal and grief. One pet owner, Denise Parker, recounted her horror upon discovering the condition of her beloved pet’s remains, despite being previously assured she had received its ashes. “The smell was horrific,” Parker told CBS8. “There were bodies laying in the freezer… It was horrible.”
As this situation continues to unfold, former clients of Angel Paws or anyone with relevant information are urged to contact the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station at (760) 510-5200. The emotional fallout from this scandal has left many pet owners feeling defrauded and devastated, as they wait for justice and answers regarding their cherished pets.
Stay tuned for further developments on this urgent story as more details emerge.
