Crematorium worker who ‘intentionally’ mixed up dead pets’ ashes takes employer to court for unfair dismissal

A worker at a pet crematorium worker has been fired after it was discovered he was intentionally mixing up the ashes of dead animals.

An employment tribunal heard how Jack Hamilton “purposefully” pushed remains of animals to the back of the crematorium oven in between uses, meaning they would mix with the remains of the animals cremated after.

The Grimsby Crematorium argued it suffered “catastrophic reputation damage” as customers could not trust that they were only picking up their pet’s remains.

The appalling behaviour could have caused the crematorium to have their licence to dispose of animals revoked.

Mr Hamilton took North East Lincolnshire Council to the tribunal, arguing he was unfairly dismissed.

The tribunal heard how coworkers of Mr Hamilton were loading a pet into the crematorium’s oven when they discovered the remains of another animal.

They argued that the animal’s remains had been pushed “in a deliberate manner” to hide them.

They found several bone fragments which had not been cleared out of the oven.

Mr Hamilton’s claims were rejected after a panel said the reasons for dismissal were justified.

The tribunal judgement concluded: "We are entirely satisfied in the circumstances that dismissal was within the band of reasonable responses.

"His actions could have led to the loss of that licence with the result that [the council] would no longer be able to carry out pet cremations."