Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, Erlan Nysanbaev, addressed criticism regarding the initiative on euthanizing stray animals during a briefing at the government. Journalists questioned why the burden of addressing the issue of stray animals should fall on the conscience of Kazakhstani citizens, considering that funds were previously allocated from the budget to sterilize and vaccinate them. Now, people are expected to pay for and resolve this issue themselves, potentially being viewed internationally as animal abusers.
Nysanbaev emphasized that the responsibility lies with local executive bodies regarding the consequences of their actions. He highlighted that the regulation and responsible handling of the law are entirely concentrated on them. The Minister clarified that the issue of stray dogs has affected many individuals, particularly instances where children have been bitten.
He pointed out that the problem of stray dogs has impacted numerous people, and while he personally views his dogs as family members, euthanasia is not a new concept globally, with Europe actively dealing with this issue. Nysanbaev stressed the importance of addressing the problem by accepting stray dogs into shelters and transferring them to caring hands.
However, he acknowledged that if the current system of capturing, sterilizing, and vaccinating stray animals is not functioning effectively, the well-being of parents and children who suffer from this issue must be considered. The Minister highlighted the need for a balanced approach, emphasizing the legislative aspect of the solution.
Previously, the Kazakh Institute of Standardization and Metrology developed a new standard regulating the process of capturing and transporting stray animals. Residents of Baikonur have expressed concerns on social media about attacks by stray dogs, expressing frustration in neighborhoods, avoiding vacant lots and parks, and questioning who is to blame and what actions should be taken.
The law "On Responsible Treatment of Animals" has undergone multiple amendments, with lawmakers revisiting the legislation in February of this year, proposing new norms that animal rights activists have criticized as controversial and contradicting humane treatment of animals.
