Soon Boon Khong and Reina Wong Si Qi, both aged 28, have been sentenced to three weeks in jail after pleading guilty to illegal animal importation charges under the Animals and Birds Act.
The couple was caught smuggling a pomeranian and a dachshund across the Causeway for financial gain, according to ST.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS :
- The couple was caught smuggling a pomeranian and a dachshund at the Woodlands Checkpoint, with the dogs found hidden in the vehicle, showing signs of health issues.
- They admitted to transporting the animals illegally from Malaysia, aware they lacked the required licenses, motivated by high potential earnings.
- Singapore’s authorities have emphasized the risks of illegal pet importation, with penalties including fines up to $10,000 and jail time, and have previously prosecuted buyers for abetting smuggling.
According to court documents, the couple stood to earn between $900 and $1,000 for each successful transaction. The smuggling operation was uncovered on February 2, 2023, when their vehicle was stopped for inspection at the Woodlands Checkpoint.
Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority found two dogs in the foot area of the vehicle’s front passenger seat, with Wong having hidden them under her handbag.
The dogs showed signs of health issues, including umbilical hernia, bloated belly, hair loss, and dirty ears, but were alert and hydrated.
The couple had initially acted as middlemen, earning $50 to $100 per transaction by connecting Malaysian pet sellers with local buyers via social media and Telegram.
Later, they began directly transporting the animals, aware that they lacked the necessary licenses but ignoring legal requirements due to high licensing fees. The pair had previously smuggled the dogs on February 1, 2023, from a pet shop in Johor Bahru, with the pomeranian gifted to Wong and the dachshund intended for a buyer in Singapore.
The buyer, Tok Su Wen, 41, was fined $7,000 in December 2024, marking the first prosecution of an animal purchaser for abetting smuggling. The illegal importation was facilitated despite the animals’ health risks and the public health implications for Singapore’s densely populated community.
The court heard that the couple was aware of the illegal nature of their activities but chose to proceed.
Their lawyer, Tan Cheng Kiong, argued for a fine instead of jail, citing the animals’ good health and the fact that they were first-time offenders.
However, Prosecutor Lim Chong Hui emphasized the risks posed by such illegal imports, especially considering the health and welfare of the animals.
Nparks
NParks urged prospective pet owners to adopt from welfare groups or purchase from licensed shops, warning that those involved in abetting illegal importation could face prosecution. The incident underscores the importance of legal compliance in pet ownership and highlights the public health risks associated with unlicensed animal trade.
Those involved in abetting illegal importations could face prosecution under the Animals and Birds Act, which carries penalties of up to $10,000 fines or 12 months in jail.
Image via Nparks
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