A Malaysian man was sentenced to 5 months jail in court today for importing 7 puppies into Singapore without the relevant import permits. He was also sentenced to 3 months jail for subjecting the puppies to unnecessary suffering or pain. Both sentences will run consecutively.

 

2        On 30 March 2015, at about 8.20pm, a Malaysia-registered car pulled up for arrival clearance at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers then stopped the car, driven by a lone Malaysian male for routine checks. During the inspection, the ICA officers uncovered live puppies hidden underneath the front passenger seat. A total of seven puppies were found. One of the puppies was found dead, while the remaining six appeared to be sedated. The 25-year-old Malaysian, the puppies and vehicle were referred to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for investigations. The puppies had been smuggled under the front passenger seat, which restricted their movements, and no food or water had been provided to them during the transportation. Subsequently, some of the puppies deteriorated in condition and succumbed to illness. The remaining puppy is currently under quarantine at AVA’s Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station (SAQS) where it is being observed for clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease.

 
3        Animals that are smuggled into Singapore are of unknown health status. In the case of dogs and cats, the foremost concern is rabies, a fatal viral disease, which can be transmitted to humans by the bite of a rabid animal. Singapore has been free from rabies for 60 years but we cannot be complacent as the disease is endemic in the region. AVA prosecutor, Yap Teck Chuan, said “The danger of the introduction of diseases, such as rabies, into Singapore is real. The efforts of AVA and other authorities in regulating importation and enforcing quarantine measures, in order to ensure the safety of Singaporeans, will be futile if offenders continue to import puppies from dubious sources through illegal means.” 
 

4        To import an animal into Singapore, the animal needs to meet AVA’s import conditions, including vaccination and health certification requirements. Depending on the country of export, certain animals will have to undergo post-arrival quarantine at SAQS. During quarantine, AVA officers will monitor the health of these animals closely to ensure that they are free from diseases including rabies before being released from quarantine. AVA’s rigorous system of quarantine and health checks on imported animals mitigates the risk of exotic animal diseases, such as rabies, from entering Singapore.

5        Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The security checks are critical to our nation’s security.  The ICA will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.  The ICA and AVA would like to remind travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit.  The public can refer to AVA’s website or download AVA’s mobile app, SG TravelKaki, for more information on bringing back animals from overseas travels.

AGRI-FOOD & VETERINARY AUTHORITY

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
 
16 April 2015

7 puppies were found in total. 1 was found dead, while 6 were found sedated, but alive.
(Photo source: AVA)

The puppies were hidden below the front passenger seat.
(Photo source: AVA)