Man caught at Tuas checkpoint for trying to smuggle 12 puppies
A Singaporean’s attempt to smuggle 12 puppies into Singapore was thwarted when he was stopped by an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer at Tuas Checkpoint.
The 25-year-old man, who was driving a Singapore-registered car, had stopped for car inspection upon his arrival at the checkpoint at about 3.45am on Tuesday morning (11 December).
Suspecting that something was amiss with the car boot, the ICA officer conducted further checks on the car, said the ICA and Agri-food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) in a joint statement on Thursday.
Twelve sedated puppies – 11 poodles and one golden retriever – were then found cramped in the car’s spare tyre compartment.
The puppies were weak and three of them eventually died, added the statement. The remaining puppies are being cared for and quarantined at the AVA’s facilities.
The man, who did not possess valid health certificate and import permit, was referred to the AVA.
“Animals that are smuggled into Singapore are of unknown health status and may introduce exotic diseases, such as rabies, into the country. As such, the AVA strictly regulates the import of animals to prevent the introduction of exotic diseases into Singapore and safeguard the health and welfare of animals,” said the ICA and AVA.
For importing the puppies without an AVA permit, the man could be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed up to one year.
The ICA and AVA remind travellers against bringing live animals, birds, and insects into Singapore without a proper permit, the joint statement added.
Members of the public are advised to refer to the AVA’s website or its mobile app, SG TravelKaki, for more information on bringing back animals from overseas.
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