25-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) A routine grooming session ended in tragedy as a beloved corgi named Fendi lost its life after becoming entangled in a short leash at a local grooming service. The heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the pet-loving community and raised concerns about safety protocols in the industry.
The fateful incident unfolded on Wednesday (July 24) at around 1:40 pm at Pawkins Singapore, a home-based grooming service located in the Serangoon neighborhood. CCTV footage capturing the tragic moments revealed the four-year-old corgi, muzzled and secured to a grooming bench with a short leash, falling off the elevated surface as she seemingly responded to the presence of other dogs in the vicinity.
In a desperate struggle to regain her footing, Fendi became entangled in the leash, rocking back and forth as her movements grew more frantic. The helpless barks and frantic movements of nearby pets only added to the chaotic scene, but no assistance was forthcoming.
After approximately a minute of writhing, Fendi’s movements ceased, and she appeared to lose consciousness, leaving her hanging motionlessly from the short tether.
It was only after a harrowing 30-minute interval that one of the groomers returned to the room, only to discover the lifeless Fendi dangling from the leash. The woman’s panic-stricken reaction set off a flurry of activity, with another groomer rushing to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a desperate attempt to revive the unresponsive pet.
Tragically, their efforts proved futile, and Fendi was pronounced dead upon arrival at the veterinary clinic.
In the aftermath of the heartbreaking incident, Fendi’s owner, 24-year-old Sonia Tan, expressed her dismay and shock at the revelation that the groomers had allegedly left the pets unattended during their lunch break, a practice she was unaware of until the tragic event unfolded.
“It is my first time knowing that when they leash the dog on the table, the arm isn’t looped in, just the neck,” Tan shared, underscoring her concern over the grooming facility’s safety protocols.
While Pawkins has reportedly offered to cover the grooming charges, veterinary fees, and cremation expenses, the emotional toll of losing a beloved family pet is immeasurable.
In the wake of this tragedy, Tan has taken steps to report the incident to the relevant authorities, including the police, National Parks Board (NParks), and the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), seeking accountability and answers.
The grooming service, once a trusted establishment, has since updated its Instagram status to “closed,” perhaps signaling a period of reflection and reassessment of its practices in the face of this devastating loss.
