The Chairman of the Committee on Ecology and Natural Resources of the Mazhilis, Edil Zhanbyrshin, has explained why he supports the controversial norm of euthanizing stray animals. According to Zhanbyrshin, vaccination and sterilization do not effectively regulate the population of stray animals and are too costly for the budget.
Zhanbyrshin believes that euthanasia, or putting animals to sleep, will help solve the issues related to stray animals. He argues that releasing animals will only lead to further reproduction, and castration and sterilization do not reduce aggression.
Meanwhile, Olga Chentsova from the Animal Law Committee KazBar expressed a different view, stating that killing animals will not solve the problem of increasing stray animal numbers. She highlighted the benefits of the catch-neuter-vaccinate-return (CNVR) approach, emphasizing the importance of sterilization and responsible pet ownership.
The debate continues as lawmakers propose reducing the holding period for animals in shelters from 15 to 5 days for strays and from 60 to 30 days for unattended animals. Animal rights activists have opposed the proposed norms, deeming euthanasia as an ineffective and inhumane measure.
On February 23, 2024, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Erlan Nysanbayev, commented on the new bill, acknowledging the current law's shortcomings in addressing the stray animal issue. He believes that euthanizing dogs and cats will not tarnish the country's image, citing its practice in other countries. Interestingly, the Minister himself owns two dogs, showcasing a personal connection to the issue at hand.
