Dog dies after hanging from leash at grooming service
Update: Pawkins, the grooming business involved in the incident, has issued a statement, saying that everyone is “distraught over the most unfortunate incident involving Fendi the corgi.” National Parks Board (NParks) has also responded. More below.
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Fendi, a pet corgi shy of its 4th birthday, died after hanging itself on a short leash during a grooming session.
The incident occurred at about 1.40pm on Wednesday (24 July), at Pawkins Singapore — a home-based groomer in Serangoon.
CCTV footage of the incident showed a muzzled Fendi falling off a high grooming bench as she seemingly responded to other dogs below her.
Image courtesy of Sonia Tan
Struggling to get back up, Fendi tussled with the short leash as she rocked back and forth.
Other pets around the trapped dog can be seen barking and running around helplessly.
After wriggling for about a minute, Fendi stopped moving and appeared to have lost consciousness.
Image courtesy of Sonia Tan
Groomers returns and find dog dangling from leash
About 30 minutes later, CCTV footage showed a woman entering the room to find Fendi dangling from the short leash.
Image courtesy of Sonia Tan
She quickly picked the motionless dog up and placed her on the grooming table.
The woman then alerts the other groomers in a panic as they cautiously check on Fendi.
Another woman seemingly performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Fendi in an attempt to revive her.
Image courtesy of Sonia Tan
The other woman later retrieves a yellow sheet to wrap Fendi up and carries her out of the room.
Image courtesy of Sonia Tan
Groomers allegedly left dogs unattended while on lunch
Speaking to MS News, Fendi’s owner, 24-year-old Sonia Tan, shared that Pawkins was her regular groomer before this incident.
However, she was unaware of how the business secured pets when they were being groomed.
“It is my first time knowing that when they leash the dog on the table, the arm isn’t looped in, just the neck,” she said.
Ms Tan stated that Pawkins informed her of Fendi’s death several hours after the incident. However, the corgi was already pronounced dead by the vet.
Source: Facebook
Pawkins also informed Ms Tan that all three groomers on shift were away for a lunch break when the tragedy occurred.
Groomers offers to cover fees and charges
After further probing, Pawkins allegedly informed Ms Tan that they would be covering the grooming charges, vet fees, and cremation expenses in light of the incident.
Ms Tan has also reported the tragic event to the police, National Parks Board (NParks), and Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS).
Since the incident, Pawkins has updated its status on Instagram to “closed”.
Source: @pawkins on Instagram
On Thursday (25 July) afternoon, Pawkins released a statement on Instagram addressing the incident.
Having groomed Fendi for two years, Pawkins expressed how “deeply affected” it was by the dog’s passing.
“Everyone at Pawkins is 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 statement read.
The business is looking into the matter and has reached out to Ms Tan. It will cooperate with authorities, too.
Pawkins also announced that it will be ceasing its operations for the time being.
In response to queries from MS News, NParks says it has received feedback on a case where a dog allegedly died at a grooming salon and is investigating the matter.
Also read: Pet groomer allegedly loses poodle later killed in accident, NParks looking into incident
Pet groomer allegedly loses poodle later killed in accident, NParks looking into incident
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Featured image adapted from @hadesfendi on Instagram and courtesy of Sonia Tan.
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