A recent court case in Singapore highlights the dangers of illegal pet importation. Tok Su Wen, a 41-year-old woman, was fined $7,000 for abetting the illegal importation of a dachshund from Malaysia.
Tok agreed to buy the dog for $2,300, significantly lower than the legal price range of $5,000 to $9,000 for dachshunds in Singapore. She was informed that the importation would be illegal but chose to proceed with the purchase anyway.
The incident came to light during a routine inspection at the Woodlands Checkpoint in February 2023, where authorities discovered the dachshund and a pomeranian hidden in a bag in a vehicle driven by Soon Boon Khong and Reina Wong Si Qi, both 28.
This case marks the first time the National Parks Board (NParks) has prosecuted a buyer for animal smuggling. The agency emphasizes that illegal pet trade poses significant risks to public health and animal welfare.
NParks urges potential pet owners to adopt from animal welfare organizations or purchase from licensed shops, warning against buying from unknown sources on social media or online platforms.