Pet groomer fined S$10,000 over death of dog she left unattended on grooming table

SINGAPORE: A pet groomer was fined S$10,000 (US$7,400) on Tuesday (Apr 8) over the death of a dog she left unattended on a grooming table in July last year. 

Vanessa Chiu Yan Er, 29, failed to secure a corgi with a double-arm lock, resulting in the dog slipping off the grooming table and hanging by its neck from its leash.

In addition to the fine, Chiu was also disqualified from running any animal-related business for nine months. This is the highest sentence imposed on a pet groomer for similar cases, according to the National Parks Board (NParks). 

The dog, named Fendi, eventually died and the case sparked outrage online after a video of the incident was circulated. 

Chiu previously pleaded guilty to one count under the Animals and Birds Act for omitting to do an act, which caused unnecessary pain and suffering to Fendi, while carrying on an animal-related business. 

The court heard previously that on Jul 24, 2024, Chiu had been grooming Fendi and another dog, Hades, at her home-based pet grooming salon, Pawkins SG, in Serangoon Central. Both dogs belonged to the same owner.

Chiu and her fiance started the business around July 2023 to provide grooming services. 

That afternoon, Chiu cleaned the area up before leaving on a lunch break with her fiance and an employee.

The employee had secured Hades with a double-arm lock, but Chiu forgot to secure Fendi in the same manner. Instead, Fendi was left on the table with a short leash secured with an adjustable ring that would tighten around its neck. 

The trio then went to a coffee shop for lunch at around 1.30pm, leaving a total of six dogs in the salon unsupervised for 45 minutes. 

At about 1.42pm, the dogs started to bark and move excitedly. Fendi then fell off the table and was hanged by the neck from the short leash. Fendi's legs were barely able to touch the ground, causing it to struggle. 

When Chiu’s employee returned at about 2.17pm, she found the dog motionless and called for help. 

Chiu checked for a pulse and attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation. She rushed Fendi to a veterinary emergency clinic, but the dog was unresponsive and had no heartbeat.

The clinic said that the dog's heart had stopped at around 3.15pm. 

In response to the case, NParks said that 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". 

For the offence, Chiu could have been fined up to S$40,000, or jailed up to two years, or both, on a first offence.