Hi

Thank u for the response to my recent article about our dog. I have just received a fax copy of the autopsy from Primary Production Department on Sat after I wrote to them and threaten them that I will write to the press about the case. There was a lot of medical terms in the report. I went down to see Dr … and he explained to me that she has something that induced her kidney/liver failure and that results over some damage on her brain tissue. She has been tested negative for all kinds of toxic materials.

Our dog last vaccination was on 19.1.97 by Dr ….He gave her DHL/PV/PIA. She is due for her injection on the 19.1.98. Unfortunately she died on the 18.1.98. She goes for her annual booster regularly.

Regarding to your questions:
We brought her home on the 17.1.98 at around 1900 hr.
She does not scavenge for things in the bins or garden as we stay in the flat.
There was no renovation materials lying in my new flat as it was completely renovated b4 we shifted in. There was no chance of her picking up any foreign materials frm the flat as I was watching her constantly over the night. The 2 dogs sleeps with us in our bed as we loves them as our kids.

I was angry with the owner of the (boarding establishment) as he was not sympathetic towards this case. All he said was it is not his problem that the dog died the next day. My argument was that if their staff has been attentive towards the dogs, they cud bring her to Dr … for treatment as it was mentioned earlier that I hv to filled in the name of the vet that treats them.

Even the Dr ..agreed that there will be sign of the dog that is unwell if they hv been observant. The owner of the (boarding establishment) even challenged me to complain about them. I think in any sensible businessman they wud definitely protect the image of the company. I hv left a few messages for him to ctc me but he did not respond. He called me once on my handphone when I was in a meeting. I wasn't able to discuss things with him as I was very busy with my work. Accordingly to the receipt he gave me for the postmortem charges, it stated that the balance money will be refunded to me. As I hv check with PPD, the cost of the post mortem is only $100/- and the (boarding establishment) has not revert back to me until todate. It is not the money that matters but it is how arrogant the owner of the (boarding establishment) handles this case.

Do u think I hv been treated fairly??? I am contemplating to see a solicitor over this matter as the death of my dog has cause me great distress. Writing this mail to u can't stop the tears frm rolling down my eyes.

If this is how the people runs the … than I think we shud warn other pet owner about the risk they are in. All animal boarding homes must hv the initiative to bring the animal to the vet if they notice that they are sick n not to wait until they are dying n b4 it is too late..... Yes they provide them the basic lodging n meals but they must be caring towards the animals also.

The animals are also under stress when they are separated frm their owners. If u need to ctc me for any clarification u may ctc me on my handphone at …... I can show u pictures n video tapping of our beautiful dogs. send again

Rgds

REPLY

Subject: Re: Sudden death of our dog "Tiger"
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 20:29:00 +0000

Take around 14 days before you go into litigation because you need the time to get over your grief and to think. In this case, you would have to prove negligence to succeed and that is going to be difficult. Dr …would have the experience to explain to you the autopsy report and if you are not satisfied, you need to ask the PPD autopsy veterinarian as others would not have seen the condition of the dog.

Sudden deaths do occur in any dog and therefore you would have to prove negligence. I am sorry to hear about your loss and if there is anything you wish me to help such as talking to the Owner of the (boarding establishment), I can do so.

Probably the lesson to be learnt from this case is to have the dogs vaccinated 2-4 weeks BEFORE going for boarding especially when the dog was due for vaccination, as immunity would have waned. Boarding houses and veterinary clinics are sources of viruses and pathogens because of the large number of dogs passing through and some of them would have the pathogens.

I know for a fact, that most Singaporean pet owners do NOT vaccinate their dogs regularly, unlike you and many do not bother to the boarding kennels. Many do survive however. Your veterinarian would be the best person to explain to you as the dogs were under his care.

Please cool down for 14 days and then consult a lawyer if that is what you want.

On the point of law, the complainant has to prove negligence and you will need to gather the facts. Legal fees will exceed S$20,000 easily.

Best wishes.

Surfer wrote: 

Hi 

Thank u very much for ur concern n thoughts over this case. It must hv slip my mind about the vaccination for the dog. I hv been very busy overseeing the renovation of our new flat. Moreover it never strike my mind that I can vaccinate the dog b4 the actual due date of their annual booster. I must be partly to blame for her death also. Yes, I wud appreciate if u cud talk to the owner of the (boarding establishment)about this case. I sincerely hope that this lesson will be a warning to other pet owners. I will heed ur advice about bringing charges against the (boarding establishmet)if only they cud apologise to me about the staff neglience on this matter. I understand that the present staff running the hotel are quite new in their job. It was unfortunate of our poor dog to died during this period. But if the owner of the (boarding establishment) refused to compromise of this matter, than I will hv to consider the action against them

Regards

Subject: Re: Sudden death of our dog "Tiger"
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 22:57:25 +0000

Hi
To allege negligence, you must have facts. What are the basis of your allegations? New staff is always present in any organisation and that does not constitute negligence. I can talk to the Owner but I cannot allege negligence or ask them to admit to negligence and apologise to you. That will definitely bring them a lawsuit from you. Will you admit negligence if you were in their shoes, knowing that you will be expecting a lawsuit anytime? Please reconsider what you want me to talk to the Owner about. Best wishes..

This report advises Veterinarians/Boarding kennels Owners
Regarding the need to be sensitive and caring in "sudden death"
situations and Dog Owners
to vaccinate at least 2 weeks before boarding.