Indian-Origin Man Sentenced for Smuggling Puppy into Singapore

An Indian-origin Malaysian man has been sentenced to eight weeks’ jail and fined SGD2,500 for smuggling a puppy into Singapore in a laundry bag. Mahentharan Ganesan pleaded guilty to importing animals illegally and breaching duty of care. He undertook this illegal activity due to financial burdens, collecting animals from Malaysia for delivery in Singapore.

Mahentharan Ganesan, a 43-year-old Indian-origin Malaysian man, was sentenced on Tuesday to eight weeks in jail and fined SGD2,500 for smuggling a puppy into Singapore. He pleaded guilty to importing an animal without a licence and two counts of breaching his duty of care as an animal owner, with an additional charge considered in his sentencing.

On October 20, 2023, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority discovered a live puppy concealed in a laundry bag within the spare tyre compartment of Ganesan’s vehicle during an inspection at the Tuas checkpoint. Ganesan, who owned a transportation business, had taken up the smuggling task as a means to repay a debt to an unknown individual.

Initially reluctant to engage in illegal activities, Ganesan succumbed to his financial difficulties and agreed to transport animals across the border after being introduced to another individual known as ‘Mr Dog.’ Ganesan’s tasks included collecting animals and delivering them to various recipients in Singapore, typically under questionable conditions as they were often found in laundry bags or boxes.

For each trip, he reportedly received SGD60 in cash, regardless of the number of animals transported, which usually ranged from one to three. The total number of his transport assignments remains unclear, as do the identities of ‘Mr Dog’ and his creditor, along with the origins of the smuggled animals.

Mahentharan Ganesan has been sentenced for animal smuggling after illegally transporting puppies from Malaysia to Singapore. Facing financial pressures, he accepted a job that led to multiple breaches of animal import regulations and duty of care. The case highlights ongoing issues related to animal smuggling and illegal trade across borders, raising concerns about animal welfare in such illicit operations.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com