In a sobering reminder of the need for diligent pet care, a dog groomer from Queens has recently been charged with animal cruelty following the tragic death of a Maltese dog named Kele. Lee Yat Sing, 31, allegedly mishandled Kele during a grooming session, resulting in the small dog’s untimely demise.

The harrowing incident, caught on surveillance, showed Sing handling Kele roughly, allegedly hitting her twice with scissors and causing distress that led to her becoming unresponsive. According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, a necropsy revealed that Kele died from respiratory failure, suffering bruising and pain due to being “forcefully manipulated and restrained.”

Despite the charges, Sing’s attorney insists that his client was not at fault, describing the incident as a tragic accident arising from the groomer simply doing his job. He suggested that Kele’s brachycephalic head shape and stenotic nare might have made her more susceptible to respiratory distress.

With his next court appearance scheduled for July 26, Sing could face up to two years in prison if convicted. Kele’s story serves as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to ensure our pets are treated with the utmost care and respect, always.

It is important to take animal abuse allegations seriously and to report any suspected instances of animal cruelty to the appropriate authorities. Animal abuse not only causes harm and suffering to animals, but it can also be a sign of a larger pattern of violence or abusive behavior.

Animal abuse is more prevalent than many may think. According to PetPedia, every 60 seconds, an animal suffers from abuse, with more than 65 percent being dogs. More than 10 million animals die from abuse every year in the US alone, not including the livestock bred for consumption, who also suffer immense abuse. Animal abuse happens everywhere and is a serious issue. We need more laws to protect animals and hold abusers accountable. Sign this petition to demand all states make all animal abuse a felony now!

Ahimsa by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

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