The owner of a now-shuttered pet cremation business in San Marcos who allegedly failed to cremate numerous pets or deliver refunds to pet owners pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a felony count of grand theft.
Christopher Settle, 39, owned Angel Paws Pet Cremation, which abruptly closed in the summer, prompting complaints from dozens of pet owners who had not received their pets’ ashes.
Prosecutors say three owners received remains they were led to believe were their pets’ ashes, but it turned out the animals’ bodies remained inside the business.
After receiving complaints regarding foul odors coming from the building, law enforcement and city officials entered Angel Paws and discovered numerous deceased animals.
Prosecutors say gas and electricity were shut off to the building for non-payment, but Settle continued operating the business and accepting customers’ money.
When the deceased animals were discovered, many were unrefrigerated and decaying because the building lacked power. Along with not being able to physically operate the incinerator, Settle’s permit to operate it expired last year, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office said.
He was arrested last week at his Temecula home.
Prosecutors say 20 victims have not received refunds for cremation services that weren’t completed between July and September of this year.
After his arraignment on Wednesday afternoon, Settle will be permitted to remain out of custody, but his release conditions include a stay-away order from Angel Paws and an order against practicing cremation services without a valid license.
“These pet owners trusted this business to handle their pets’ remains with dignity and respect but instead were denied that consideration,” San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement. “The owner is being held accountable for his actions thanks to the hard work of our consumer protection prosecution team.”
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