Latest news with #dogsmuggling
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
From JB to jail: Singapore couple smuggled dogs across Causeway for S$1,000 a trip
SINGAPORE, June 6 — A married couple who smuggled dogs into Singapore from Malaysia in a bid to make quick profits have been sentenced to jail. The Straits Times reported yesterday that Soon Boon Khong and Reina Wong Si Qi, both 28, were each sentenced to three weeks' jail on Wednesday after pleading guilty to two charges under the Animals and Birds Act. Another two similar charges for each of them were taken into consideration. The pair had been ferrying animals across the Causeway without the required permits, standing to earn between S$900 (RM3,000) and S$1,000 per delivery. In court, District Judge Wong Li Tein stressed that such offences posed serious public health risks. According to court documents, the couple began their operations in late 2022 after spotting a demand for cheaper pets compared with those sold at licensed shops. They advertised animals from Malaysia on Telegram and other social media platforms. Initially acting as middlemen and earning between S$50 and S$100 per referral, they eventually began transporting the animals themselves after Malaysian sellers preferred to deal directly with them. Despite knowing that bringing animals across the border without a licence was illegal, the couple proceeded with the scheme, citing the high costs of permits. Their illegal activities came to light on February 2, 2023, when officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint discovered a Pomeranian and a dachshund hidden at the foot of the front passenger seat. Wong had tried to obscure them using her handbag. The dogs were reportedly in fair condition, though both had umbilical hernias. The dachshund also had a bloated belly, hair loss and dirty ears. Soon had picked up the dogs from a Johor Baru pet shop the day before. The Pomeranian was a gift for Wong, while the dachshund was to be delivered to a buyer, Tok Su Wen, 41. Tok, who knew the dog was being brought in illegally, had contacted the couple after seeing their ad on Telegram. She was fined S$7,000 in December 2024, the first time NParks prosecuted a buyer for abetting animal smuggling. In a previous statement, NParks said pet smuggling 'poses a threat to public health and also compromises animal welfare'. It urged potential pet owners to adopt from shelters or buy only from licensed sellers. NParks also warned that buyers who support illicit importation could face prosecution. Under the Animals and Birds Act, importing animals or birds without a licence can result in fines of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.
CNA
6 days ago
- General
- CNA
Couple jailed for smuggling dogs into Singapore from Malaysia for sale
SINGAPORE: A couple caught smuggling dogs into Singapore from Malaysia were jailed on Wednesday (Jun 4). Soon Boon Khong and Reina Wong Si Qi, both 28, will each serve three weeks' jail after they pleaded guilty to two charges of importing a dachshund and a pomeranian without a licence on Feb 2, 2023. Another two charges of smuggling another two dogs - a poodle and a pomeranian - the day before were taken into consideration for sentencing. The two had advertised dogs for sale online and a woman, Ms Tok Su Wen, had contacted them to buy a dachshund. Ms Tok was earlier fined S$7,000 (US$5,400) in the first prosecution against a buyer for abetting animal smuggling. On Feb 2, 2023, Soon had driven from Malaysia into Singapore at about 6pm, with Wong in the front passenger seat. The pomeranian and dachshund were hidden behind a bag underneath the front passenger seat. In mitigation, the couple's lawyer Tan Cheng Kiong said that his clients only smuggled dogs on Feb 1, and Feb 2, 2023, with no further evidence of other smuggling. He added that the dogs were not mistreated and did not have canine diseases. The lawyer urged the court to fine rather than jail the couple as they were first-time offenders. Jail would be more appropriate for repeat offenders, or in cases with mistreatment or syndicates, said Mr Tan. He pointed to the pair's young age and said they have learnt their lesson. In the alternative, Mr Tan argued for a "very short sentence" for the duo. Addressing the court, Wong said that the two had ensured that the dogs were healthy by checking that they were vaccinated. District Judge Wong Li Tein found the couple's culpability higher than Ms Tok, as Ms Tok had committed the offence for herself, but the accused couple smuggled for trade and profit. Both had advertised their trade, indicating that the offences were not opportunistic, Judge Wong said. She noted that the offences posed a public health risk that Singapore's densely populated community could not afford to take. The judge felt that a jail term was warranted.
