SAN MARCOS, Calif. — Christopher Settle, 39, owner of Angel Paws Pet Cremation, was arrested Tuesday following the sudden closure of his San Marcos business, which left many grieving pet owners distressed.
Deputies from the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station took Settle into custody at his Temecula home under a grand theft arrest warrant issued the same day by a North County Superior Court judge. The San Diego Sheriff’s Office had been investigating the business for possible fraud after numerous complaints from customers.
The business’s abrupt shutdown during the summer caused widespread concern among pet owners who entrusted Angel Paws to handle their pets’ remains with care. Some clients, including Denise Parker, grew suspicious after receiving cremated remains she believed were incomplete or mishandled. Parker had taken her dog, Murphy Brown, to Angel Paws in August and later discovered the remains had been stored improperly.
“When I saw the freezers, the smell was horrific. There were animals just lying on top of bagged pets… it was horrible,” Parker said.
Investigations revealed the facility had significant financial difficulties, including utility shutdowns that left pets unrefrigerated. Landlord Manuel Villanueva later discovered nearly 4,000 pounds of decomposed animal remains during an eviction cleanup in November. Many pets had been stored without proper labeling, adding to the distress of owners who received the wrong remains.
Settle continued to accept animals for cremation services despite the business’s operational shutdown. Following the arrest, Settle waived extradition and was transported to San Diego County, where he was booked at the Vista Detention Facility on the outstanding warrant.
