Local dog handler Matthew Ng Zhaohui has been charged with animal cruelty following a video recording of dog abuse at a training facility.
A video that demonstrated an unsettling act of animal cruelty was posted by the animal welfare group Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore (CDAS) on their Facebook page on 13 July 2022. The video from a security footage at the dog training facility K9 Connection displayed a man treating a brown mongrel harshly.
Matthew Ng Zhaohui, a director at K9 Connection, was seen in the video using a metal bowl to bash onto the dog’s head three times. Ng has been charged with animal cruelty and the case is expected to be revisited on January 10, 2024.
In Singapore, animal abuse laws are stringent and those found guilty could face major penalties. Individuals convicted of animal cruelty could face up to two years imprisonment and an hefty fine up to S$40,000.
Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) had suspended the handler involved from a list of accredited dog trainers at the time. AVS also reported that the dog involved in the incident was safe and returned to its owner after the incident.
Currently, the two K9 Connection outlets at MacPherson and Geylang East Ave 3 are “temporarily closed”, according to Google Maps.
