Couple fined after their 4 dogs escape and injure dog being walked by maid

In Singapore, a couple faced fines after their dogs escaped and attacked a maid walking her employer's pet. The Labrador retriever sustained a deep, 9cm long open wound and puncture wounds on its body. The couple owned four dogs: two Rottweilers and two Cane Corsos, both restricted breeds that require special permission to own. Merissa Leow Hwee Li, 51, was fined S$3,100 (US$2,440) and had to pay S$4,000 in compensation, while her husband Lionel Tay Wei Yuan, 52, received a S$5,400 fine.

The court also considered seven charges against Merissa and three charges against Lionel. The dogs had expired or cancelled licenses, and the couple had exceeded the allowed number of dogs and restricted breeds. The incident occurred on January 9, 2024, when the couple's dogs broke through a faulty gate and attacked the maid's dog.

The victim required veterinary treatment amounting to S$3,360 and incurred S$700 in medical bills. The couple's lawyer argued that they were not irresponsible pet owners but genuinely loved their dogs, explaining that one dog was a cousin's pet they were helping to care for.