A social media influencer who had previously been criticized for allegedly scamming restaurants is now in deeper trouble. The dog she was tasked with caring for has died, and she returned its decomposing body to its owner in a suitcase.
The husky, named Jiachen, or JC, reportedly showed severe signs of decay after a 10-day stay with Fahmida Sultana, who aspires to fame online. An autopsy from Cornell University indicated that the 7-year-old dog had suffered from muscle atrophy, and Sultana claimed the pet died unexpectedly on the final day of the arrangement.
Junie “Eleven” Lee, the dog’s owner from Brooklyn, holds Sultana responsible for JC’s death, while the influencer maintains that she is not to blame.
In light of the incident, thousands of outraged animal advocates are demanding Sultana be arrested. This shocking event has drawn attention to her past actions, particularly an incident in September where she reportedly accepted $200 in food and beverages for a promotional video that never materialized. The restaurant owner later released his own clip criticizing her behavior, which included disparaging comments about her community.
Sultana claimed that her earlier issues stemmed from “miscommunication” and a lack of urgency on both sides. As for the dead dog, she firmly stated to the Post that she had not harmed JC.
“I would never harm any animal,” she wrote, while acknowledging her inability to discuss the upcoming civil lawsuit filed by Lee.
“I feel deeply sorry for this family and the loss they are experiencing,” Sultana added.
Lee hired Sultana for $360 via Rover, bypassing the platform to avoid fees. Initially, everything seemed fine. Sultana shared a blurry photo of JC three days into the arrangement, but Lee grew worried when her pet appeared unwashed and emaciated. Despite her pleas for Sultana to have someone check on JC, her concerns were dismissed. Eventually, she thanked Sultana for what she had assumed was good care.
However, just hours before Lee was set to retrieve her dog, Sultana delivered the grim news that JC had passed away. The shock left Lee devastated, especially as she screamed in disbelief on a plane, surrounded by strangers.
Sultana and her boyfriend transported the dog’s body in bags, packed neatly into a suitcase, claiming that there were no nearby vet options available. Lee’s boyfriend filmed them as they dragged the suitcase down the street, prompting suspicion and concern. “The vet’s office was filled with other dogs, but they immediately sensed something was off when I entered,” he recalled, sharing details about the awful smell emanating from the suitcase.
With inconclusive findings from the autopsy regarding the exact cause of JC’s death, which revealed muscle weakness yet ruled out starvation and poisoning, the chances of legal action seem slim. Yet, Lee remains resolute about filing a civil suit against Sultana.
Reflecting on her bond with JC, Lee expressed profound sadness. “He meant everything to me… he was always by my side,” she reminisced, clutching a special pillow that bore a puppy’s visage.
There were further complications when Lee noticed JC’s red collar was missing upon his arrival at the vet. Sultana insisted she hadn’t removed it and searched thoroughly for it without success.
Lee has faced obstacles trying to serve Sultana with court documents, and even her boyfriend faced resistance from doormen when attempting to approach Sultana’s residence. It wasn’t until Chef Papa’s criticism of Sultana went viral that Lee finally garnered some much-needed attention regarding her situation.
Despite it all, Rover has terminated Sultana’s account and stated they’ve looked into the matter, but their involvement was limited since the care arrangement had not been facilitated through their platform.
“Our hearts go out to Ms. Lee during this difficult time. As fellow pet owners, we understand the sorrow that comes with this kind of loss,” a spokesperson for Rover expressed.
