US-based Osprey Packs confirms severed ties with Terry Yee over dog attack

PETALING JAYA: US-based outdoor gear manufacturer Osprey Packs has decided to drop the company run by Singaporean Terry Yee as its distributor due to his attack on a dog.

Osprey's vice-president of product line and marketing Rob BonDurant said that the company would be severing ties with Yee's Tearproof Sdn Bhd after they reviewed the now-viral CCTV video of Yee beating a dog at a Puchong guardhouse on April 2.

In an email on Tuesday, BonDurant said that Osprey Packs considered Yee's actions to be "reprehensible".

"In response to the incident, we are engaged in the process of terminating our relationship with this distributor completely, and we made this decision because as a brand, we absolutely oppose any act of inhumane violence or neglect against animals," said BonDurant.

He added that Osprey Packs was committed to a culture of compassion and that the company was making arrangements to ensure there was no disruption of customer and product service in Malaysia.

According to its Facebook page, Tearproof Sdn Bhd had been Osprey Packs' sole authorised distributor in Malaysia, operating four outlets in major shopping malls in the Klang Valley.

Attempts to reach Yee were unsuccessful.

He had previously apologised for his actions in an exclusive interview with The Star TV on April 7.

At 8.45pm on April 2, Yee flew into a rage and violently beat up the dog after falling off his bike when it broke free of its leash and ran towards him in front of a guardhouse at Taman Melody in Puchong.

On April 7, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) said the case was being investigated under Section 44 of the Animal Act 1953 for animal cruelty.

The dog is currently under the supervision of the Petaling district veterinary officer.