Pet groomer in S’pore pleads guilty over dog’s death after leaving it unattended

Pet groomer in Singapore pleads guilty to leaving dog unattended, resulting in its death

On Tuesday (11 Mar), a 29-year-old pet groomer pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of a dog she left unattended on a grooming table in July 2024.

Vanessa Chiu Yan Er had reportedly failed to secure the corgi properly with a double-arm lock.

As a result, the dog slipped off the table, and its leash became caught around its neck.

Image courtesy of Sonia Tan

The dog remained suspended for a prolonged period before tragically passing away.

Dog dies after slipping off grooming table & hanging by its neck

On 24 July 2024, Chiu, who ran a home-based pet grooming salon, was grooming a corgi named Fendi when the tragic incident occurred.

Before leaving for lunch around 1pm with her fiancé and an employee, Chiu reportedly failed to secure the dog properly with a double-arm lock, instead using a short leash.

Leaving the dogs unsupervised in the salon for 45 minutes, Chiu returned to find Fendi had slipped off the table and was hanging by its neck.

The dog struggled for about a minute before it died.

Image courtesy of Sonia Tan

Chiu’s employee discovered the dog and called for help.

Chiu attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rushed Fendi to a veterinary emergency clinic, but it was too late.

Pet groomer faces fine of up to S$20K & 12-month disqualification period

A prosecutor from NParks has recommended a fine of between S$16,000 and S$20,000, along with a 12-month disqualification period.

They argued that Chiu, as a trained pet groomer and owner of the grooming salon, should be held to a higher standard.

The prosecution also emphasised the need for general deterrence to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In response, defence lawyer Alain Abraham Johns requested a reduced sentence, noting that Chiu did not intend to harm the dog.

While acknowledging Chiu’s failure to secure the dog properly, he described the incident as an “innocent mistake with a very tragic consequence”.

“She offers no excuse, it was a mistake,” he explained. “She should have double-arm locked Fendi but because of work and [in her] haste of doing certain things, she omitted to doing so.”

Mr Johns added that Chiu, an animal lover, is deeply remorseful and unable to forgive herself for the incident.

He requested a fine of S$3,000 and a disqualification period of nine months.

Mitigation and sentencing will be adjourned to 8 April.

Also read: Pet grooming salon manager charged over death of dog that fell & got hanged by leash

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Featured image courtesy of Sonia Tan and adapted by MS News.