SINGAPORE — The death of a standard poodle at a Tanjong Katong pet grooming facility has taken a new turn nearly a year after the incident, with a 51-year-old man now facing an animal-cruelty charge.
Chan Yew Heng, who was a director of Pawsome.sg at the time, was charged on Sept. 23, 2026, over the death of a dog named Buddy at the facility on Oct. 30, 2025, according to court documents reported by The Straits Times. Chan is accused of committing the offence between about 9.15am and 10.45am that day.
Court documents allege that Buddy was left unattended for about 1½ hours while his forelegs became trapped in a playpen, resulting in extensive traumatic injuries to his limbs. The dog, which was around four years old, died soon afterwards, according to the charge.
Chan is expected to plead guilty on Oct. 21, 2026. If convicted of the animal-cruelty offence, a first-time offender can face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$40,000, or both.
What Happened to Buddy?
The case first attracted public attention in November 2025 after Buddy’s owner, Tanish Dhillon, shared CCTV footage and sought answers about the circumstances surrounding his dog’s death.
Earlier reports said Buddy was transported to Pawsome’s Tanjong Katong outlet at about 9.15am on Oct. 30, 2025. Dhillon was informed around 11.45am that the dog had died.
CCTV footage reviewed by CNA showed Buddy alone in a holding area during a roughly 12-minute segment. The footage showed the poodle appearing distressed and struggling while his forelegs were caught between the bars of the enclosure. No staff members were visible during that portion of the recording, CNA reported.
At the time, the cause of Buddy’s death had not been established publicly. NParks’ Animal & Veterinary Service began investigating the case and arranged for a post-mortem examination.
Pawsome said Buddy had been a regular customer and that, before grooming began, he had been placed in a playpen in the grooming area as part of the facility’s practice for dogs waiting for their sessions. The company said Buddy was found unresponsive when the groomer returned and was taken to a veterinarian, where he was pronounced dead. Pawsome also said it was cooperating with authorities.
The new court charge represents a significant development from the initial investigation because the allegation is now formally before the courts. However, the charge remains an allegation until it is proven in court.
Singapore Tightens Focus on Pet-Grooming Safety
Buddy’s death also became part of a wider discussion about safeguards for animals in Singapore’s pet-care industry.
In January 2026, the Ministry of National Development said it was reviewing the regulatory framework covering pet-sector activities, including pet grooming. The government said it would consider whether legislation should require pet-grooming businesses to install CCTV systems. NParks had received 54 cases of feedback alleging harm to pets caused by groomers over the preceding three years.
The review came after several high-profile incidents involving animals under the care of grooming businesses. One earlier case involved a corgi named Fendi, whose groomer was fined S$10,000 in April 2025 after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary pain and suffering.
Singapore’s Animal & Veterinary Service says people working with animals are expected to meet their duties of care. Its current guidance identifies acts or omissions that cause unnecessary pain or suffering as animal-cruelty offences and stresses the importance of evidence such as CCTV footage, witness statements and veterinary or post-mortem reports in investigations.
The AVS also maintains a Code of Animal Welfare for the Pet Industry covering minimum standards for animal housing, management and care. The code includes best practices for grooming businesses, including avoiding situations in which animals are left unattended during grooming-related activities.
For Buddy’s family, the latest court proceedings mark a major development in a case that began with questions over how a routine grooming visit ended in the death of their pet.
The next major moment is now scheduled for Oct. 21, when Chan is expected to plead guilty in court.
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