The woman has received flak from animal lovers after footage of the incident was shared by a TikTok user. At one point in the video, the dog appears to wobble and hangs its head under the weight of the woman’s leg.
TikTok user with the handle of @jefflittlemoutain appeared to shoot the video from his apartment and from the point of view of another dog lover.
The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is aware of the incident and said that it is investigating the case and is seeking more information regarding it.
Ms Aarthi Sankar, executive director at the SPCA, who spoke to the media about the incident said: “The SPCA is aware of the case and has since reached out to the feedback provider for more information so that we can verify the exact location of the incident.”
“It is important to avoid placing any weight on an animal while they are standing as the pressure on their back may potentially injure them. Pet guardians should also ensure they are not causing their pets any form of discomfort, or if their pets show any signs of distress.”
Anyone with credible information about the case can email SPCA at [email protected]. SPCA said that all information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
The authorities investigated close to 1,200 alleged animal cruelty and abuse cases each year between 2017 and 2020, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee in September last year.
In a written parliamentary reply to Nee Soon GRC MP Mr Louis Ng, Mr Lee said since 2017, 26 offenders have been jailed, another 40 were charged in court and fined, 113 were given compound fines and 87 received warning letters.
About 30 per cent of the 260-odd cases were related to animal cruelty, while the rest involved pet owners who failed in their duty of care, said Mr Joshua Teoh, director of animal welfare at the National Parks Board’s (NParks’) Animal and Veterinary Service.
NParks said in early March that from 2018 to 2021, the amount of feedback received relating to animal cruelty and welfare rose from 2,490 to 3,025 cases. It added that this increase is likely due to the public’s greater awareness of animal welfare rather than increased incidence of cruelty.