Singapore – Ng Siew Teng, 28, has become the first person in Singapore to be jailed for keeping animals in captivity for sale at unlicensed premises. The case marks a turning point in how the country deals with the illegal pet trade.
According to a statement by NParks (National Parks Board), Ng and her husband Callum Lim, 34, were caught running a scheme to smuggle puppies from Malaysia and sell them for profit in Singapore.
How the Scheme Was Uncovered
The operation came to light on Dec 27, 2023, when officers at Woodlands Checkpoint stopped a Singapore-registered vehicle during a random inspection. The driver, family friend Bryan Peh, 23, was found with five two-month-old Pomeranian puppies hidden in the boot of his car.
The puppies were packed into a pet carrier tucked inside plastic storage. NParks said the animals were transported in “cramped and poorly ventilated conditions” that caused them “unnecessary suffering.” Worse still, the puppies tested positive for Canine Parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that can be fatal to dogs.
Sold Through Instagram and Void Deck Viewings
Once the case was referred to NParks, investigators found that Peh had been helping Ng and Lim bring puppies into the country. The couple kept the animals at home and marketed them online.
Here’s how their operation ran:
- Puppies were advertised and sold through Instagram
- Prospective buyers were invited to viewings at their HDB void deck
- Between October and December 2023, they sold 21 puppies
- Their profits came to roughly $21,000
The Penalties Handed Down
All three pleaded guilty to charges under the Animals and Birds Act. The sentences were as follows:
- Ng Siew Teng and Callum Lim: 19 weeks and three days’ jail each, plus a $5,000 fine
- Bryan Peh: 16 weeks’ jail
A Separate Syndicate Case
Ng’s case was one of several recent convictions. In a separate matter, Sundra Pandian, 33, received 24 weeks’ jail and a $4,000 fine for working with a transnational smuggling syndicate. When officers searched his home, they found 14 animals, including dogs and cats, some needing veterinary care.
What This Means for Residents
NParks made its position clear: “Offenders involved at every stage of the smuggling chain, regardless of their role, will be held accountable under the law.”
For our kababayan here, the message is simple. If you’re thinking of getting a pet, buy only from licensed sources. It protects the animals, keeps you on the right side of the law, and supports a kinder community for everyone.