"Investigators said Settle had operated his business without the legal or physical ability to complete orders customers paid for, noting that gas and electricity were cut off in July and his permit to operate the incinerator expired in March 2024. Settle was the owner of Angel Paws Cremation, which operated out of a business park on Pacific Street, until he was evicted in November after he stopped paying rent."
"Neighbors complained of odors emanating from the business after some animals in freezers were allowed to defrost, and in September, the city of San Marcos got a court order to enter the premises and hired a contractor to clean up the biohazard. On Tuesday, Settle was booked into the Vista jail. He was released on bail and is expected to be arraigned next Wednesday."
"Customers began noticing problems with the business in late summer when their messages went unreturned. Some offered to help Settle, thinking he had simply fallen behind and needed help packaging up ashes and contacting pet owners. They later learned that gas had been shut off at the business, meaning Settle was allegedly taking in pets he was not able to cremate. When the landlord took possession of the building in November, he said he found at least 150 animals stored in around 20 freezers."
Christopher Settle, 39, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft after customers said they gave him their pets and money but did not receive cremains. Settle operated Angel Paws Cremation out of a San Marcos business park until eviction in November after rent default. Investigators said gas and electricity were cut off in July and the incinerator permit expired in March 2024, leaving the operation unable to complete orders. Neighbors reported odors from defrosting animals; the city obtained a court order in September and hired a contractor to clean biohazardous remains. Landlord found about 150 animals in roughly 20 freezers.
Read at www.sandiegouniontribune.com
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