Dog-smuggling Kuwaiti couple banned from leaving Sri Lanka after airport assault

A Kuwaiti couple who tried to smuggle a dog into Sri Lanka and assaulted five customs officers during the process have had their passports impounded by a Sri Lankan court on Monday. 

The 32-year-old woman and her 29-year-old male partner were arrested on Friday after they turned violent when they were informed that quarantine requirements meant they could not bring their pooch into the country. 

They assaulted five customs officers who tried to stop them fleeing the airport with the animal, police said.

All five officers were admitted to hospital for treatment after the assault, local Kuwaiti news reported.

A magistrate ordered immigration authorities to prevent the couple from leaving Sri Lanka and fixed a court hearing for 10 August. 

The couple has been released on a 400,000 rupee ($2,500) bail. The dog, a Bernese mountain breed, remains with them. 

The tourists were also ordered to be present at a separate customs investigation.

"We will question them on Tuesday and appropriate action will be taken thereafter," customs department spokesman Vipula Minuwanpitiya told AFP.

Bringing pets into the island without quarantine clearance can lead to the forfeiture of the animal as well as a fine of up to 100,000 rupees ($625).

Airport police said they had never recorded such a case over a pet dog.

Kuwait has yet to comment on the issue.