Pet crematory accused of giving clients fake ashes

Angel Paws Pet Cremation appeared to be a nondescript San Marcos business, where grieving clients brought in their dearly departed pets — until they stopped getting their calls returned, and the building began to smell.

- BY KATERINA PORTELA

Angel Paws owner Christopher Settle was arrested Tuesday for alleged grand theft, in a scheme prosecutors say involved taking in pets for cremations, collecting the payment, and leaving them in freezers to rot as he distributed false ashes.

The San Marcos station of the San Diego County Sheriff's Office confirmed Settle’s arrest outside his Temecula home on a warrant issued that day in North County Superior Court. He was released on bond the next day and awaits his scheduled Wednesday court appearance.

The San Marcos cremation business was under scrutiny since early this year, when clients raised concerns on social media and to local news stations about Angel Paws’ closure with their pets’ remains reportedly still inside.