Today Online 16 Apr 15;
SINGAPORE – The puppies were sedated, stashed under the front passenger seat of the car, which restricted their movements, and given no food or water during transportation. One died as a result of the journey, and subsequently several others died.
For importing seven puppies into Singapore without the relevant import permits, a 25-year-old Malaysian was sentenced to five months jail today (April 16). He was also sentenced to three months jail for subjecting the puppies to unnecessary suffering or pain. Both sentences will run consecutively.
The man, who was driving a Malaysia-registered car, had pulled up for arrival clearance at the Woodlands Checkpoint on March 30, at around 8.20pm.
During inspection, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers uncovered the live puppies in cardboard boxes underneath the front passenger seat of the vehicle. One of the puppies was found dead, while the remaining six had appeared to be sedated.
Eventually five others died after their condition deteriorated. The remaining puppy is currently under quarantine at AVA’s Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station where it is being observed for clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease
A joint release issued by the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority Singapore (AVA) and ICA warned that animals that are smuggled into Singapore are of an unknown health status.
In the case of dogs and cats, rabies, a fatal viral disease, can be transmitted to humans by the bite of a rabid animal. Singapore has been free from rabies for 60 years but the statement cautioned against complacency as the disease is endemic in the region.
AVA prosecutor Yap Teck Chuan added that 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.”
The statement also said that an animal needs to meet AVA’s import conditions, including vaccination and health certification requirements, before getting imported into the country.
“Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’s security. The security checks are critical to our nation’s security,” said the statement, adding that the ICA will continue to conduct security checks at the checkpoints to prevent attempts the smuggling in of undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.
