A Singaporean man has been sentenced to 9 weeks' jail for smuggling live birds into Singapore, as well as 3 weeks' jail for animal cruelty. Both sentences will run concurrently.
Channel NewsAsia 17 Oct 15;
SINGAPORE: For the act of illegally smuggling nine live birds into the country, a Singaporean man has been sentenced to nine weeks' jail, announced the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) on Saturday (Oct 17).
Leong Kay Cheong, 43, was also sentenced to three weeks' jail for the charge of animal cruelty, as the birds were subjected to unnecessary suffering or pain, said AVA. Both sentences will run concurrently.
The Singaporean man was caught with the birds inside his luggage at Changi Airport on Apr 10, 2015, said the AVA. Leong had arrived on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and a routine check by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) uncovered the birds.
The ICA then notified AVA, and examinations revealed a total of nine birds, of which six were identified as Melodious Laughing Thrush birds (Garrulax canorus) and the other three as White-Rumped Shama birds (Copsychus malabaricus).
The Melodious Laughing Thrush bird is a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
AVA found that the birds were individually concealed in customised PVC tubes with perforated holes on both ends, and each tube was wrapped with aluminium foil, with an additional layer of concealment using black trash bags.
There was no food and water provided for the birds, and seven of them were found dead on arrival and the two remaining birds died a few days later, said AVA.
PENALTIES UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act (ESA), CITES permits are required for any import, export and re-export of CITES species, including their parts and products, said AVA. It is also an offence under the ESA if the CITES species or their parts and products are not accompanied by proper CITES permits when they are in transit or being transhipped through Singapore.
Penalties for infringing the Act include fines of up to S$50,000 per scheduled species (not exceeding a maximum aggregate of S$500,000) and/or up to 2 years imprisonment, said AVA.
The authority added that under the Animals and Birds Act, any person who neglects to supply the animals with food and/or water or subject them to unnecessary suffering and distress, shall be guilty of animal cruelty and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding S$10,000 and/or imprisonment for a term up to 12 months.
“To date, Singapore is one of the few countries in the region to remain free from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or bird flu. For trade and public health purposes, it is important that the Republic maintains its bird flu-free status through strict import regulations and enforcement, and by working closely with partner enforcement agencies to deter illegal import across borders," said Mr Gerald Neo, Senior Executive Manager, Quarantine & Inspection Group (Wildlife Section), AVA.
"We will not hesitate to take stern enforcement actions against any person flouting our laws,” he added.
The AVA has asked that anyone with information on animal smuggling to contact it at 6805 2992 or via AVA’s online feedback form. All information shared with AVA would be kept strictly confidential, it said.
- CNA/av
