Hong Kong customs arrests suspected smugglers of pricey pets, seizes pedigree kittens and puppies

Three kittens and two puppies worth HK$220,000 seized in customs sting operation in Sha Tau Kok restricted border area

Mainland Chinese woman, 61, and Hong Kong man, 47, arrested on suspicion of importing animals without a permit

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One of the cats that smugglers are suspected of bringing into the city illegally. The animals are now in the care of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Photo: Handout

Published: 4:54pm, 1 Dec 2023Updated: 9:28pm, 1 Dec 2023

Pedigree kittens and puppies worth a combined HK$220,000 (US$28,156) have been seized by customs officers after smugglers brought the animals into Hong Kong.

A senior customs official said three kittens and two puppies, smuggled from mainland China, were found in the city’s restricted border area of Sha Tau Kok in the early hours of Friday and that two people had been arrested.

The kitten breeds were a munchkin, a chinchilla, a type of Persian cat, and a British shorthair. The puppies were a border collie and a miniature pinscher.

“All of the kittens and puppies are expensive breeds and they could each fetch between HK$30,000 and HK$60,000 locally,” said Chang Man-kit, an assistant superintendent of the customs syndicate crimes investigation bureau.

Two puppies were among the haul. Customs says the animals seized are all expensive breeds. Photo: Handout

The two suspects, a 61-year-old mainland woman and a 47-year-old Hong Kong man, were detained on suspicion of importing animals without a permit.

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