A 31-year-old woman who is the operator of pet boarding facility Platinium Dogs Club is expected to be charged in court today (June 15).
The charges
She will face 13 charges in total.
Six counts of failure to take reasonable steps to ensure that an animal is provided with adequate and suitable food and water under the Animal and Birds Act, which carries a punishment of a fine up to S$40,000 or imprisonment for a term up to two years or both;
One count of failure to take reasonable steps to ensure that an animal is protected from, and rapidly diagnosed of, significant injury or disease, which carries a punishment of a fine up to S$40,000 or imprisonment for a term up to two years or both.
One count of failure to make reasonable efforts to recover an animal when it is missing, which carries a punishment of a fine up to S$40,000 or imprisonment for a term up to two years or both;
One count of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, which carries a punishment of a fine up to S$40,000 or imprisonment for a term up to two years or both.
One count of furnishing false information to a public servant under s177 of the Penal Code (“PC”) , which carries a punishment of imprisonment for a term up to six months, or a fine up to S$5,000, or both.
One count of obstructing, preventing, perverting or defeating the course of justice under s204A PC, which carries a punishment of imprisonment for a term up to seven years, or a fine, or both.
One count of non-registration of business under the Business Names Registration Act (“BNRA”), which carries a punishment of a fine up to S$10,000 or imprisonment up to two years or both.
One count of abetment of furnishing false information to the Registrar under, which carries a punishment of a fine up to S$10,000 or imprisonment up to two years or both.
A joint news release by the Singapore Police, National Parks Board and Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority on June 15 also called for the public not to speculate on the case.
"The agencies have conducted thorough investigations into various aspects of the case. As the case is before the Courts, we advise all parties to refrain from speculating or commenting on the case until after the Court proceedings are over."
PDC saga
The Platinium Dogs Club saga early last year led to national outrage.
The operator was arrested last year over animal welfare-related offences.
Even Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam commented on the issue.
Here's a partial refresher of the events that occurred:
The dog that was arguably most in the spotlight during the entire saga, a Shetland Sheepdog named Prince, unfortunately died.
Image from Facebook