NParks investigating case involving dog that died after being left unattended at grooming facility

The National Parks Board (NParks) in Singapore is currently investigating a distressing incident involving a dog that died after being left unattended at a grooming facility. The dog, named Buddy, was taken to Pawsome Singapore, a pet grooming shop in Tanjong Katong, for a routine grooming session. Buddy's owner, 20-year-old Tanish Dhillon, shared that the dog was picked up by a transport service at around 8:30 a.m. on October 30 and brought to the pet shop by 9:15 a.m. But just a little over two hours later, at 11:45 a.m., Mr. Dhillon was shocked to receive a call informing him that Buddy had collapsed and passed away. Mr. Dhillon recounted how an employee at the grooming facility told him that Buddy “wasn’t feeling well and he collapsed.” When the groomer brought Mr. Dhillon upstairs to see Buddy, he found the dog lying on pee pads, his mouth and front paws covered in blood. The owner described Buddy as a gentle and curious dog, and the heartbreaking scene deeply upset him. CCTV footage from the pet shop, which was given to Mr. Dhillon, shows Buddy alone in a crate placed in a corner of the grooming room before his death. The video, lasting about 12 minutes, captures sounds of metal clanking and Buddy barking and yelping as he tries to stand on his hind legs, pushing his front paws between the crate’s bars. According to Mr. Dhillon, when he asked why Buddy had been left alone, he was told by an employee that it was the shop’s standard operating procedure (SOP) because the staff were cleaning. However, Pawsome Singapore did not provide further details when asked about this SOP. In their statement on November 3, the pet shop clarified that Buddy was placed in a playpen in the grooming area, a practice they said applied to all dogs to provide comfort and freedom of movement instead of keeping them on leashes. They added that when the groomer returned to start Buddy’s grooming session, the dog was found unresponsive and was immediately taken to a vet, who pronounced him deceased. The pet shop expressed sorrow over Buddy’s death, saying it had deeply affected their entire team. They also confirmed they have been cooperating fully with authorities investigating the matter. Buddy had been a regular at Pawsome Singapore since he was a puppy, and Mr. Dhillon said his dog had been a cherished part of the family for more than three years, weighing around 26kg. The owner described him fondly as a “gentle giant” and his “angel.” Following the incident, Mr. Dhillon lodged a police report, which the police have confirmed receiving. NParks’ group director of enforcement and investigation, Ms. Jessica Kwok, emphasized that those working in animal-related businesses are required to uphold higher standards of animal welfare under the Animals and Birds Act. She warned that anyone found guilty of animal cruelty in these sectors could face up to two years in jail or fines up to $40,000. Ms. Kwok also highlighted the existence of a Code of Animal Welfare specifically for the pet industry, outlining minimum standards for businesses including grooming services. While compliance with these standards is encouraged, any failure to meet them may lead to enforcement actions by the authorities. At present, a post-mortem examination is being conducted on Buddy’s body to determine the exact cause of death. NParks and the Animal and Veterinary Service are closely monitoring the investigation to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies.