A 28-year-old woman has been jailed in Singapore for her role in an illegal puppy-smuggling and sales operation, becoming the first person in the country to receive a jail sentence for keeping animals in captivity for sale at unlicensed premises.
Ng Siew Teng and her husband, 34-year-old Callum Lim, were involved in a scheme to bring puppies from Malaysia into Singapore and sell them to buyers.
The couple were arrested in December 2023 after authorities uncovered the operation.
Five Puppies Found Hidden in Car
The case came to light on Dec 27, 2023, when Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers conducting checks at Woodlands Checkpoint stopped a Singapore-registered vehicle.
The driver, 23-year-old Bryan Peh, was found carrying five two-month-old Pomeranian puppies hidden in the vehicle’s boot.
Two of the puppies were inside a pet carrier placed within a plastic storage container, alongside three other puppies.
The animals had been transported in cramped and poorly ventilated conditions, causing them unnecessary suffering.
All five puppies later tested positive for canine parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that can cause severe illness and death in dogs.
Puppies Sold Through Instagram
Investigators found that Ng and Lim had supported the smuggling operation and subsequently kept the puppies at their home before selling them.
The couple advertised the animals through Instagram and arranged viewings for potential buyers at the void deck of their residential block.
Between October and December 2023, the pair sold 21 puppies and made about S$21,000 in profits.
The case highlighted how illegally imported animals can be moved through informal online sales channels before reaching unsuspecting buyers.
Jail Sentences for Those Involved
Ng and Lim each pleaded guilty to five charges under Singapore’s Animals and Birds Act.
They were sentenced to 19 weeks and three days in jail and fined S$5,000 each.
Peh, who was responsible for transporting the five puppies across the border, was convicted of three charges in January 2026 and sentenced to 16 weeks’ jail.
The sentences reflect the different roles played by the individuals in the illegal operation.
Another Smuggling Case Draws Heavier Sentence
Authorities have also dealt with another case involving animals being held for sale at an unlicensed premises.
Sundra Pandian, 33, was sentenced to 24 weeks’ jail and fined S$4,000 after pleading guilty to nine charges under the Animals and Birds Act.
He had been working for a transnational animal-smuggling syndicate and stored animals at his home while waiting for buyers.
During an inspection, authorities found 14 animals at his residence, including 12 dogs and two British Shorthair cats.
The animals were kept in cages and carriers stacked as high as three levels and were confined for extended periods, sometimes for two to three weeks.
One dog tested positive for canine parvovirus, while some animals required veterinary treatment after showing signs of ill health.
Singapore Cracks Down on Illegal Animal Trade
The cases underline Singapore’s tougher approach towards illegal animal importation and the unlicensed sale of pets.
Authorities have warned that responsibility extends across the entire smuggling chain, including people who transport, store or sell illegally imported animals.
The latest convictions also highlight the risks faced by animals that are moved through clandestine networks, particularly when they are transported in unsuitable conditions or held for long periods without proper care.
For buyers, the cases serve as a reminder to verify the source and licensing status of animals before purchasing them.
For authorities, the prosecutions send a clear message that illegal animal trading will not be treated as a minor offence — and those involved can face both fines and jail time.
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