Dog found hanging from leash after being left alone at pet groomer; NParks investigating

SINGAPORE: The National Parks Board (NParks) is investigating the case of a dog that died while under the care of a pet groomer. 

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage shared on social media on Wednesday (Jul 24) showed an unattended corgi pacing around on a grooming table at Pawkins SG, a pet groomer located in Serangoon Central.

The dog had a leash around its neck that was attached to a grooming arm meant to hold it in place. The corgi later fell off the table and was hanged by the neck until it died.

The video, which was timestamped, showed a staff member entering the room more than 30 minutes later, before discovering the dog's body.

On the incident, NParks told CNA on Thursday that it takes all feedback received from the public on animal health and welfare seriously.

"NParks has received feedback on a case where a dog allegedly died at a grooming salon and is investigating the matter," it added.  

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) weighed in on the death of the dog, calling for "stronger legislation" in animal welfare.

In response to CNA's queries, Ms Aarthi Sankar, executive director at SPCA, said the animal welfare group had been notified by a member of the public after coming across the video.

"We have since escalated the case to the authorities for their action. We understand that the pet owner has also reported the groomer to the relevant authorities," she added.

SPCA referenced an identical case that took place in 2021. TODAY reported in May 2023 that another groomer was fined S$8,000 (US$5,960) and given a disqualification order of nine months after a dog died under her care.

Boon Regine Vienna, then a pet groomer at the Raku Inu pet shop along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, pleaded guilty to one charge related to causing unnecessary pain and suffering to the animal.

The white maltese, aged 10, was hanged by the neck on a short leash until it died. Boon had placed the dog on a grooming table and it accidentally slipped off the edge.

"In Singapore, there are currently no regulatory or educational requirements for pet grooming service providers," Ms Sankar said.

"The Code of Animal Welfare (for the Pet Industry) does specify some minimum standards, although failure to comply with them is not considered an offence.

"While breaches of the code can be used to support prosecution or enforcement action, the resulting penalties often fail to serve as effective deterrents."

SPCA noted that the short disqualification periods also mean that service providers may re-enter the pet industry soon after their offence, which poses a risk to animal welfare if these service providers are not adequately retrained and rehabilitated.

"The SPCA believes that there is an urgent need for stronger legislation in animal welfare and has been actively lobbying the government on multiple issues to better protect our animals," Ms Sankar said.

"These include upholding high standards of animal welfare within the pet industry."

PAWKINS "DEEPLY SADDENED" 

In an Instagram post on Thursday, Pawkins SG said it was "distraught over the most unfortunate incident involving Fendi the corgi".

"We sincerely hope that all those who loved and cared for Fendi can accept our deepest and most heartfelt condolences and sympathies," the pet groomer added.

"We have groomed and cared for Fendi for about two years and all of us love her dearly. We are deeply saddened and affected by her passing. We have reached out to Fendi’s owner."

Pawkins also said an internal investigation into the matter was underway and it will cooperate with the authorities.

"In the interim, we have ceased our operations and will, on request, refund any outstanding packages purchased with us," it added.

The pet groomer had earlier restricted comments on its Instagram page after being inundated with angry comments.

Fendi's owner, Ms Sonia, told CNA that she had previously used Pawkins' services but was "completely unaware" of the method used to secure dogs before grooming.

She said one of Pawkins' owners had informed her of the death of her dog at 3.14pm - about 1.5 hours after the corgi was no longer seen writhing in the CCTV footage - and that she had reported the case to NParks.

"I have used this groomer before, but was completely unaware that they put dogs on high tables with short leashes, not even looping the arm in, and leaving them for extended periods of time with nobody home," she added.

Ms Sonia said she had requested for the full video showing the entire timeline from when all the dogs were tied up to the moment when Pawkins' staff members returned to the premises, but did not get an answer. 

However, she received an apology from the pet groomer, saying that the incident was "entirely unforseen".

The message, which CNA has seen, read: "Hi Sonia, we would like to extend our sincerest condolences and apologies for the recent event.

"No one wanted this to happen. It was entirely unforeseen. The groomers have always done their utmost best to provide the best services they could to everybody and their pets."

Pawkins added in the message it had offered to reimburse various expenses related to the dog's death, such as veterinary charges and cremation charges, to "assist in easing the grief".

WHAT THE AUTHORITIES SAY

According to the Animal & Veterinary Service's Code of Animal Welfare, published in 2016, the minimum standards for the management of a pet grooming business state that all groomers must be properly and adequately trained.

This includes in the area of animal care, animal handling and the grooming requirements of the various breeds and species.

Groomers must be familiar with different animal breeds and their requirements, as well as the use of grooming equipment or products.

"Failure to meet the minimum standards may be used as evidence to support prosecution for an offence under the Animals and Birds Act," said AVS, which is a cluster of NParks.

AVS also listed a range of "best practices" that pet grooming businesses should employ, including not leaving animals that are sent for grooming, bathing, or drying "unattended on grooming tables, rooms or in shower baths".