A dog handler in Singapore was charged with animal cruelty on Wednesday, November 29. The man was accused of cruelly beating a dog with a metal bowl last year on March 20, 2022.
In a video posted on the Facebook page ‘Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore’, a person in the video can be heard yelling, “Welcome to hell, my friend. Four weeks of hell!” While a leashed dog is seen cowering in a corner as it is struck by a person with a metal bowl.
(WARNING: Some viewers may find the video below disturbing. Please watch at your own risk.)
The person hitting the dog was later identified as Ng Zhaohui Matthew, a39-year-old dog trainer working at the K9 Connection dog training center.
According to Channel News Asia, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) was well aware of the situation, and upon investigation, has suspended Ng from a list of accredited dog trainers last year.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a non-profile animal welfare organization, assisted AVS in its investigation.
Ms Aarthi Sankar, executive director at the SPCA said, “We are deeply disturbed by the actions portrayed in the video as they are both abusive towards animals and insensitive towards humans. Based on the audio, we are also concerned that the perpetrator may have treated other animals under his care in a similar manner.”
After the dog trainer was suspended, AVS group director, Jessica Kwok, ensured that the dog involved in the incident was returned to its owner and is safe.
On November 29, Channel News Asia reports that a prosecutor with the National Parks Board (NParks) said that a sentencing position hasn’t been confirmed.
However, the case will be heard again in January next year. And if convicted of animal cruelty, Ng could spend up to two years in jail or be fined up to $30,000 USD, or both.
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