In the bustling neighborhood of Katong, Whatupdawg, a local pet store, found itself at the center of controversy when a video surfaced online, depicting one of its staff members caning a puppy on the store premises.
This incident, which unfolded in November 2022, has sparked outrage within the community and raised questions about the store’s commitment to animal welfare.
Details of the Incident
The circulated 30-second video provides a disconcerting view of a man repeatedly caning a small dog in an enclosed area of the store, eliciting whimpers from the distressed animal.
The incident, captured at night, also captures voices from inside the store, adding to the unsettling nature of the footage.
The video quickly gained traction on social media, particularly within the “Dogs Singapore” Facebook group. The public’s strong reaction and the potential ramifications for Whatupdawg’s reputation are under scrutiny.
In response to the incident, Whatupdawg made the decision to terminate the employment of the male staff member involved. The store released a statement emphasizing its commitment to ensuring the well-being of the animals under its care.
Whatupdawg’s public apology
We sincerely apologize for the distressing incident involving our former staff member. Mr. Sim. who was reported to have mistreated one of our puppies back in november 22 last year.
We became aware of this issue only on June 23 of this year when approached by NParks/AVS. subsequently, Mr. Sim was dismissed. and appropriate actions were taken following reports from AVS and NParks.
We deeply regret any inconvenience caused and are committed to collaborating with the authorities to address this matter appropriately.
Ensuring the well-being of animals is our priority and we will diligently train and educate all our current and future staff members to prevent any similar incidents from occurring.”
