Custom officers at the Ben Gurion Airport in Israel thwarted an attempt to smuggle ten toy poodles puppies into Israel on Sunday, according to a joint statement from the Agriculture Ministry and Israel Tax Authority.
A Russian citizen and an Israeli woman tried to pass through customs in the “Nothing to Declare” aisle after deplaning from an arriving flight from Sochi, Russia. The puppies had been hidden in their luggage. The suspects did not have import licenses or any medical records for the puppies which are required by Israeli law when bringing animals into the country.
It was later determined the suspects had intended to sell the puppies in Israel.
The Russian male, reported to have been in his 30s was immediately sent back to Russia along with the puppies and the Israeli woman is currently being investigated by the Agriculture Ministry.
The main concern for unvetted and unvaccinated dogs is the fear of rabies which there is no cure and can easily pass from infected animals to humans.
The Agriculture Ministry urges people who want a dog or any pet to adopt one instead of buying one.
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