21 puppies rescued at Woodlands Checkpoint

A 27-year-old man is being referred to the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) for investigation after 21 puppies were found in the spare tyre compartment of a car at the Woodlands Immigration Checkpoint on Tuesday
 
According to a statement by the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) on Friday, officers noticed that the lone male driver was “visibly nervous” when his Singapore-registered car pulled over for arrival clearance.
 
The car was then directed for further checks and the officers found 14 pomeranians and seven pugs sedated and lying side by side after lifting the cover of the spare tyre compartment.
 
The puppies are currently under observation at AVA’s Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station.
 
The ICA and AVA would like to remind travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit.
 
It added that animals that are smuggled into Singapore are of unknown health status. In the case of dogs and cats, the foremost concern is the risk of rabies, a fatal viral disease, which can be transmitted to man by the bite of a rabid animal.
 
Anyone who imports an animal without a licence is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.