SINGAPORE: The Animal plus Veterinary Service (AVS) said on Friday (Jul 15) it is investigating a case of animal cruelty at dog training centre K9 Connection and has suspended the handler from a list of accredited dog trainers since Mar 25.
The incident happened on Mar 20, stated AVS.
The two-minute video from the abuse made the rounds on social media earlier this week after it was posted on the Facebook page called Chained Dog Understanding in Singapore.
It shows a leashed-up dog inside a green kennel.
A man is heard telling the dog “welcome to hell, my buddy. Four weeks of hell”. He continues shouting at the dog within Mandarin and expletives.
The man then approaches the dog using a metal hook and bowl before hitting it with a steel bowl while it challenges.
In a reaction to CNA’s queries, AVS group movie director Jessica Kwok said that the dog is safe and back with its owner.
“We know about the video where a canine at K9 Connection was seen becoming abused on Mar 20, 2022. AVS has suspended the particular handler from the listing of AVS accredited dog trainers since Mar twenty five, 2022, ” she added.
“The dog is safe and back with its owner and investigations are ongoing. ”
Ms Aarthi Sankar, executive director in the Society for the Avoidance of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) stated that the organisation received several reports about the incident and is helping with investigations.
“We are seriously disturbed by the actions portrayed in the movie as they are both violent towards animals and insensitive towards humans. Based on the audio, we are also concerned the fact that perpetrator may have dealt with other animals under his care in the same way, ” she stated.
AVS mentioned it does not condone the mistreatment of local community animals.
First-time offenders caught abusing an animal may be charged under the Animals and Birds Act and may be fined up to S$15, 000, jailed up to 18 months, or even both.