Prince’s Unfortunate Journey: A Doggone Story of Loss and Legal Woes
Short recap: A beloved Shetland sheepdog named Prince went missing last month, sparked a grand search, and ended up a tragic surprise during a boarding facility raid.
Step‑by‑step timeline
- December 30 – Owner Ms Elaine Mao reports Prince as missing on Facebook, calling for help and offering a $2,000 reward.
- Early January – AVA (Agri‑Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore) informs the public that Prince passed away while boarded.
- Late January – AVA launches a raid on the Bukit Panjang pet boarding centre following complaints about animal mistreatment.
- Post‑raid discoveries: 18 dogs and one rabbit in temporary AVA custody.
- Recovery: 17 dogs reunited, 1 dog’s owner abroad, rabbit’s owner still unknown.
Legal repercussions
The owner of the now‑closed Platinium Dogs Club, who remains unnamed, was arrested after the raid. Under the Animal and Birds Act, people running pet businesses who neglect animal care can face a fine of up to $40,000, up to two years in prison, or both.
AVA’s message to the public
“Let the investigation roll on—no speculating. AVA takes animal welfare seriously and will act against those who slip up.”
While that’s the official tone, let’s remember that behind every statistic is a canine heart that deserves full attention.
