SINGAPORE: A 29-year-old pet groomer was fined S$10,000 (US$7,400) on Tuesday (8 April) over the death of a corgi named Fendi, who was left unattended on a grooming table at a home-based salon in July last year.
Vanessa Chiu Yan Er, who was also a part-owner of the salon Pawkins SG, had earlier pleaded guilty to one charge under the Animals and Birds Act for failing to take necessary precautions, which resulted in unnecessary pain and suffering to the dog.
She will also be disqualified from running any animal-related business for nine months.
In a statement issued on 8 April, the National Parks Board (NParks) stressed the responsibility of those in the pet care industry: “All individuals working in animal-related businesses, including pet groomers, are expected to uphold higher standards of animal welfare, given that they are entrusted with the care of their clients’ animals.”
The fatal incident occurred on 24 July 2024, at about 1.45pm, in a unit at Serangoon Central where the salon operated.
According to court documents, Chiu had been grooming Fendi when she decided to leave for lunch with her fiancé and an employee at around 1pm.
Fendi and several other dogs were left alone in the grooming area for approximately 45 minutes.
CCTV footage revealed that Fendi was restrained only with a short leash and not secured using a “double arm lock” — a standard safety measure to prevent falls during grooming.
The footage showed Fendi falling from the table and becoming entangled in the leash, resulting in the dog being hanged by the neck.
Fendi struggled for about a minute before losing consciousness.
Chiu attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and rushed Fendi to a veterinary clinic, but the dog was unresponsive and later pronounced dead.
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The prosecution noted that industry best practice requires a dog to either be placed on the floor when left unattended or properly secured if left on a grooming table.
Chiu’s failure to take such precautions led to the fatal outcome.
Fendi’s owner, Sonia Tan, said she was only informed of her dog’s death more than an hour after the incident, once it had been confirmed by the veterinarian.
Chiu’s lawyer, Alain Abraham Johns, told the court that Chiu had since shut down her grooming business and refunded clients for any unused grooming packages.
He said she had groomed Fendi on 12 previous occasions without incident and had taken full responsibility for her negligence. Chiu also paid for the dog’s medical treatment and cremation.
Under the Animals and Birds Act, a first-time offender convicted of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal may face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$40,000, or both.
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