When People's Alliance for Reform's (PAR) GE2025 candidate Prabu Ramachandran took this selfie with his visually-impaired friend and her guide dog on the MRT, little did he expect to spark a debate among netizens online.

The woman, who was accompanied by her golden retriever working canine named M, happens to be Cassandra Chiu, executive director of K9Assistance, a charity organisation that champions the use and acceptance of guide dogs in Singapore. 

Prabu, who was a candidate that Lim Tean's PAR fielded in Tanjong Pagar GRC during the General Elections 2025 alongside Han Hui Hui, had uploaded his selfie with Cassandra, whom he's known for some years, and M on Dogs Singapore Facebook group.

But one thing in the photo stood out to netizens: Why was Cassandra standing on the train? 

Netizens expressed their disappointment with many asking why no one had offered her a seat.

“So disheartened to see that she has to stand,” one comment read, while another added, “Wish more people would offer her a seat instead of letting her stand near the doors.”

One netizen offered a different perspective, noting that not everyone is comfortable around dogs.

“Some may be scared, allergic, or simply not very understanding. And if someone gives up a seat, others might even complain that she’s the one being inconsiderate,” she wrote.

Cassandra told 8days.sg via Instagram that she was on her way to the K9Assistance office when the selfie was taken.

“People do give up their seats. Just not that day,” she said, when asked if it was common for her to remain standing on the train.

M is Cassandra's third guide dog after her first two, Elke and Esme, retired.

Elke just celebrated his eighth birthday in May. Esme, her first guide dog, retired in 2018, and passed away in 2020 at the age of 10.

Photos: elketheretiree/IG, Dogs Singapore/Facebook