Man jailed for importing 2 live zebra doves hidden in his pants at Woodlands Checkpoint

Abdul Rahman Bin Husain, 46, was sentenced to six weeks in jail on Sep 19 for illegally importing two birds.

He was sentenced to an additional six weeks, which will run concurrently, for the failure to ensure that the birds were not subjected to unnecessary suffering.

On May 12, he was stopped at the Immigration Checkpoints Authority for checks at Woodlands Checkpoint.

The officers detected two live zebra doves cramped in separate socks and placed in two drawstring pouches hidden in his pants.

Rahman did not have an import licence issued by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for the import of the birds.

AVA also found that the manner of transportation had caused unnecessary suffering to the birds, which were found in poor condition.

The birds were seized and placed under the care of Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

The AVA cautions that illegally imported live animals, birds and insects have an unknown health status.

Bringing them into Singapore may introduce exotic diseases such as bird flu, which harms public and animal health. 

If convicted, a person is liable a fine of up to S$10,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or to both.

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