The duo tried to import two spotted doves and three sugar gliders into Singapore on Aug 25, but were stopped by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority at Tuas Checkpoint.
Channel NewsAsia 8 Oct 15;
SINGAPORE: A father-and-son pair was sentenced to three and two months’ jail respectively for smuggling animals into Singapore on Wednesday (Oct 7).
Toh Ng Siow, 44, and his son Toh Han Rong, 20, also received the same sentence for the charge of animal cruelty as the illegally-imported animals were subjected to unnecessary suffering or pain. Both sentences will run concurrently.
The two Singaporeans had attempted to import two spotted doves and three sugar gliders into Singapore on Aug 25. However, their efforts were in vain after the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) detected the animals in a Singapore-registered car at Tuas Checkpoint.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) was notified and according to investigations, it was revealed that the animals - sourced from Johor, Malaysia - were imported into Singapore without the relevant import licences.
The smuggled animals were also transported in a manner that subjected them to unnecessary suffering or pain, AVA said. Food and water were not provided to the animals during the transportation.
Said AVA in a press release: “The spotted doves were kept in compressed bird cages that were hidden precariously outside the vehicle (in the gap between the rear bumper and the car boot). Placed in close proximity to the road, the journey would have been hot, noisy and bumpy for the spotted doves. Such conditions of travel would have caused significant stress to the spotted doves.”
The sugar gliders were concealed in a small black pouch, and placed behind the glove compartment that was enclosed, small and covered, reducing ventilation for the sugar gliders. The smuggled animals were seized and sent to the Singapore Zoo and the Jurong Bird Park.
The elder Toh will start his three-month jail term on Wednesday, while Han Rong’s jail term starts on Dec 14. He is currently out on S$8,000 bail and his passport has been impounded.
AVA also reiterated to members of the public that under the Animals and Birds Act, it is an offence to import or tranship any animal or bird without written authorisation. Those found committing this offence are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$10,000 or to imprisonment for a term of up to 12 months, or both.
- CNA/xk
