Pawkins Singapore's groomers leave dogs unattended, Fendi the Corgi tragically hangs herself

Pawkins Singapore came under scrutiny after Fendi, a Corgi, hanged itself when it was left unattended. On its Instagram page, Pawkins describes itself as a SKC Certified “professional” pet groomer.

A Corgi’s death caused by Pawkins Singapore’s negligence

On the afternoon of 24 July 2024, Fendi and her sibling Hades were under the care of Pawkins Singapore.

CCTV footage of the tragic incident revealed that Fendi fought for her life as the noose tightened around her neck. Other dogs, who were also left unattended, could be seen frantically barking and jumping to try and draw attention to Fendi’s struggle, and to save Fendi.

Heartbreakingly, Hades, Fendi’s sibling, was also similarly on a short leash and left unattended in the next table. Hades was barking loudly to bring attention to Fendi’s predicament.

At the start of the video, Fendi was tied to a table leash that is usually used to keep pets in place when they are being groomed. However, Fendi was left unattended while still attached to the table leash.

Fendi fell off the table, and unfortunately, the leash tightened around his neck. Other dogs, who were also left unattended, can be seen frantically barking to try and draw attention to Fendi.

According to an Instagram user, there were 3 groomers present at that time but they were not attending to the dogs.

Fendi’s death was tragic, and entirely preventable.

Wake Up Singapore reached out to Pawkins for comment, but we have yet to receive a response.

We understand that a police report has been filed against Pawkins Singapore.

Calls for Harsher Laws against Animal Abuse

Last year, a trainer, Boon Regine Vienna, was fined SGD 8,000 for causing pain and suffering to a dog who died from hanging off her own leash. In that case, a white maltese was left unattended while Boon Regine Vienna took a cigarette break. Boon Regine Vienna was also disqualified from running any animal-related business for nine months.

More than 10,000 individuals have signed a petition seeking harsher laws against animal abuse and negligence. Aseparate, but related, petition seeking for stiffer punishments to those who cause animals harm, received 12,000 signatures. The second petition also lists various examples of punishments meted out for animal abuse cases.

me members of Parliament, like Mr Louis Ng and the Minister for Law and Home Affairs, Mr K Shanmugam, have also attended and organised dialouge sessions on animal welfare in recent weeks.

Some members of Parliament, like Mr Louis Ng and the Minister for Law and Home Affairs, Mr K Shanmugam, have also organised and led dialouge sessions on animal welfare in recent weeks.

In a recent Facebook post dated 19 July 2024, Mr Louis Ng said that he will be working on “tabling a motion in Parliament” on animal welfare.

Some members of Parliament, like Mr Louis Ng and the Minister for Law and Home Affairs, Mr K Shanmugam, have also attended and organised dialouge sessions on animal welfare in recent weeks.

It is our sincere hope that harsher laws against animal abuse and neglience are introduced. Similarly, trainers or groomers should also face stiffer and longer bans from animal-related work. If possible, regular inspects and checks should be conducted to ensure that safety protocols are observed.

Even one preventable death is one too many. Rest in peace, Fendi.

A tribute from Elizabeth Goh follows:-

This may be an ordinary Wednesday evening for most of us. But it will never be the same for Sonia and her family anymore.

As I sat here at my dining table typing away, Sonia is at the pet cremation place bawling her eyes out. What lays in front of her is her lifeless baby, Fendi. Fendi lay there beautifully. But there was no life in her anymore. All that lay there is just the carcass of an innocent, voiceless Fendi.

Today, she lost her furbaby, Fendi.
Fendi was one month shy of her 4th birthday.
Earlier today, Sonia sent her furkids, Fendi and Hades for their grooming session.

Two furkids were sent for grooming, but only one returned home. Why?

The three groomers went for lunch together, leaving all furkids unsupervised.
Fendi, her Corgi baby, was hung on a short leash on the left table by herself.

Other furkids could be seen running around on short leashes in the room and all.
Everything went well in the room until the dreaded happened.

Fast forward to the video at 13:42:09, I saw Fendi slipped off the grooming table. Trust me, no pet owner, no animal lover, scratch that- even you who are reading this now, who has no pet or even likes animals, could stand to watch that.

Fendi struggled helplessly, she wished somebody could rush in and carry her up. She struggled badly, she could only wriggled around in pain.

At least four other furkids in the same space watched helplessly as they could not help their four-legged friend and set her free. Some barked, some whined. But nobody came.

Her fur-sibling, Hades watched. But there was nothing Hades could do for Fendi. At 13:43, beautiful Fendi took her last breath on Earth.

Why? Why get into a pet-related business if you have no care or concern for these furkids? Does an apology help? Will compensation help?

Those who walk among us, may comment that a pet is just a pet. Some may say “It is all fated.” If you are one of them who is going to stand up and defend this business or rather groomers, what if this happens to your own furkid? As for humans, I am too distressed to present you a scenario whereby I could ask you “what if this happen to your kids?”

Sonia’s thought to herself “i just want my furkid back.” But I can tell you she is gonna cry herself to sleep every night, she is going to hurt and cry every 24th of the month. She is gonna be reminded of every 13:42 and 13:43. She is going to hurt and cry when she returns home – a home without Fendi.

She is gonna cry her eyes out seeing her favourite toy, looking at her empty bed and food bowl.

“What if? What if I did not send you there? Could you have returned home to me today, Fendi?”

Hug your furkids a little tighter tonight..
You will never know what might happen to them tomorrow, a week later, a month later.

To beautiful Fendi, rest in peace.
To Sonia, stay strong. It is tough, it is. Nothing can make things easier. You have to grief, but trust that one day you all will reunite again one day. Just in another world. 💓