SINGAPORE: Eleven puppies were found in the modified fuel tank of a Malaysia-registered car at Woodlands Checkpoint.
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers found the puppies at about 9pm on Thursday, after they directed the car, driven by a lone 43-year-old Malaysian, for further checks upon arrival, according to a joint news statement by ICA and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) yesterday.
The driver, puppies and car have been referred to AVA. Investigations are ongoing.
It is illegal to import animals or live birds into Singapore without an AVA permit.
Smuggled animals might introduce exotic diseases such as rabies into the country, said AVA.
The maximum penalty for such animal smuggling is a $10,000 fine and/or imprisonment of up to a year.
The public can refer to AVA’s website or download its mobile app, SG TravelKaki (available free from iTunes and the Google Play Store), for more information on bringing back animals from overseas.
The importation of any animal or live bird without an AVA permit is illegal and carries a maximum penalty of S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to a year, said ICA and AVA.
The ICA and AVA have reminded travelers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit.
