KUALA LUMPUR: Those who smuggle animals across borders have been known to be creative in their attempts to hide the poor creatures.
In the latest incident, four kittens had to endure the horror of being placed in a grown man's pants, while he was wearing it, as he tried to smuggle them into Singapore.
In a Facebook post by the island republic's Agri-food and Veterinary Authority, the incident was said to have happened on Jan 2 at the Tuas checkpoint.
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers had directed a Singapore-registered car to stop for further checks.
This was when they made the startling discovery.
Four live kittens were discovered hidden in the pants of a 45-year-old man, Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore said.
"The kittens are currently under the care of AVA while our investigations are ongoing," it added.
They went on to remind the public that smuggled animals were of unknown health status and had the potential of introducing exotic diseases, such as rabies, to Singapore.
"Under the Animals and Birds Act, the importation of any animals or live birds into Singapore without a licence is illegal and carries a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine, imprisonment for up to a year, or both.
Travellers are reminded against the illegal import of live animals into Singapore to safeguard public and animal health," the post said.
We can only hope the kittens were not too traumatised by what they had to endure.