25-year-old carpenter Wong Cai Long, was sentenced on Wednesday to 40 weeks imprisonment after pleading guilty to 10 charges, including importing an animal without a license and failing to make sure the animal was not confined and subjected to unnecessary suffering, according to The Straits Times.
He was caught trying to smuggle 10 puppies and 3 kittens into Singapore from Malaysia, with 5 of the puppies dying in under 2 weeks.
He had hidden the animals in a modified compartment under the rear passenger seat in his vehicle, and was caught during a routine inspection at the Woodlands Checkpoint.
Additionally, 16 similar charges were taken into consideration during his sentencing.
The Smuggling Attempt
Wong Cai Long, aged 25, found himself on the wrong side of the law when he attempted to transport these innocent animals without the necessary permits and in conditions that subjected them to unnecessary suffering.
The modified compartment used for this smuggling operation measured a mere 65cm by 51cm by 11.5cm, highlighting the cramped and perilous nature of the situation.
Tragic Loss
Five of the puppies transported in these inhumane conditions tragically lost their lives within two weeks of the incident. The cause of their death was attributed to bacterial pneumonia, which likely developed due to the deplorable conditions they endured.
The cramped and poorly ventilated environment in the vehicle’s compartment facilitated the spread of highly contagious viruses, causing suffering and, ultimately, death.
A Vet’s Perspective
A veterinarian involved in the case emphasized that the animals experienced extreme discomfort due to their restricted movement and inability to adopt natural positions.
Furthermore, being placed together with other animals in such confined conditions posed the risk of injury through jostling.
The Role of Illegal Debt
The shocking aspect of this case is that Wong Cai Long resorted to animal smuggling as a means to pay off his debt.
A freelance carpenter, Wong had borrowed money from an unlicensed moneylender in Malaysia. Facing a debt of RM$7,000 (S$2,000) that he couldn’t repay, he was instructed by his creditor, referred to as “Boss,” to smuggle animals into Singapore.
Wong’s arrangement with “Boss” involved a payment of $40 for each animal successfully smuggled into Singapore.
This money was meant to offset his outstanding debt, and to comply with this arrangement, Wong began smuggling animals into Singapore in August 2023.
The Smuggling Operation
Wong had successfully smuggled a total of 12 animals into Singapore on two previous occasions before his eventual arrest.
Each time, “Boss” would contact him and provide a set of keys to the vehicle used for transportation. Wong was then instructed on the delivery location in Singapore. The animals were concealed in the modified compartment beneath the rear passenger seat.
The Discovery
The smuggling operation came to a halt on August 15 when “Boss” instructed Wong to collect a Malaysia-registered vehicle with 13 animals concealed in the modified compartment.
The animals were to be delivered to an undisclosed location in Singapore. However, immigration and checkpoints authority officers at Woodlands Checkpoint conducted a routine inspection of the vehicle, leading to the discovery of the 13 animals in the deplorable conditions in which they were being transported.