UPDATE (17 Jun): NParks has suspended K9 Connection from the list of AVS accredited dog trainers. You can find their full statement below.
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Disclaimer: The footage in this article might be disturbing to some.
Facilities that look after our pets are meant to be institutions we can put our trust in. When incidents of abuse emerge from such places, it gets difficult to excuse them for such slip-ups.
Sadly, this was allegedly the case at a pet boarding facility here in Singapore.
In a two-minute video which has since gone viral, an alleged staff member of the boarding facility was apparently seen striking one of the dogs with a bowl and shouting vulgarities at the canine.
Netizens have expressed their outrage at the shockingly cruel incident, urging authorities to investigate the matter. The OP of the video has also confirmed that the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) is now looking into the issue.
Facebook group Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore posted a video showing the on Wednesday (13 Jul).
Source: Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore on Facebook
The two-minute footage apparently shows a dog circling on the premises of a pet boarding facility.
Initially, the dog cowers as a staff member shouts in the background, “Bite me ah? Welcome to hell my friend… four weeks of hell.”
Source: Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore on Facebook
He then mutters a few vulgarities before threatening the canine yet again, saying, “Tonight you make a single noise see what happens to you.”
The man continues his threats in a similar vein for the next minute. Right after, he picks up a metal bowl and starts banging it loudly against the ground.
Source: Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore on Facebook
The dog becomes visibly startled as the worker approaches with the bowl, seemingly with the intention to strike it with the metallic object.
Source: Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore on Facebook
Perhaps sensing an imminent threat, the canine jumps out of the bedding before snapping at the item as the man takes swipes at it. However, it’s unclear if the metal bowl made contact with the dog.
Source: Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore on Facebook
“Wanna try me… I will smash another bowl for you to see,” the worker retorts aggressively.
Towards the end of the footage, the staff member yanks on the dog’s leash before poking it with a hook.
Source: Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore on Facebook
The incident has sparked outrage amongst netizens. Many users felt that such behaviour of mistreatment reflected poorly on the alleged boarding facility.
Source: Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore on Facebook
A number of netizens further urged the local authorities to take legal action against the facility.
Source: Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore on Facebook
Source: Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore on Facebook
Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore also stated that reliable sources have identified the facility to be one located in MacPherson.
Additionally, the Facebook page shared that Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) is currently looking into the incident and that it will release further details soon.
Speaking to MS News, the pet facility in question said that they are unable to provide comments as the incident is currently under investigation.
In response to MS News’ queries, NParks has said that they take all feedback into such cases of animal abuse seriously.
Investigations into the incident are currently ongoing, and K9 connection has been suspended from the list of dog trainers accredited by AVS. Here is their statement in full:
The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster of the National Parks Board (NParks), takes all feedback received from the public on animal cruelty seriously. We are aware of the video where a dog at K9 Connection was seen being abused on 20 Mar 2022. AVS has suspended the handler from the list of AVS accredited dog trainers since 25 Mar 2022. Investigations are ongoing.
AVS does not condone mistreatment of community animals and first-time offenders caught abusing an animal may be charged under the Animals and Birds Act, and could be fined up to $15,000, jailed up to 18 months, or both.
Safeguarding animal welfare is a shared social responsibility. Members of the public can play a part by promptly reporting suspected cases of animal cruelty to AVS via our website at www.avs.gov.sg/feedback or call us via our Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600. As with all investigations, all forms of evidence are critical to the process, and photographic and/or video-graphic evidence provided by the public will help. Information shared with AVS will be kept strictly confidential.
It is devastating to witness an innocent animal suffer such horrible mistreatment from an alleged worker who’s supposed to provide care.
We hope the authorities are indeed investigating the incident and that the poor dog and its owner will get the justice they deserve.
In the meantime, we urge all dog owners to be careful and conduct thorough checks before enrolling their pets in any pet boarding facility.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore on Facebook.
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