The Senate reviewed a bill on responsible animal treatment in the first reading and sent it back to the Majilis with amendments, reports Todayinfo.
Senator Arman Otegulov introduced several amendments. He stated that the current 'trap—sterilize—vaccinate—release' model has not yielded expected results. Over the past four years, more than one million stray dogs were captured, yet over 155,000 attacks on humans were recorded.
'The current mechanisms need revision. Euthanasia should only be allowed in exceptional cases: chronic illness, declining quality of life based on a veterinary conclusion,' the senator said.
The state has allocated 14.5 billion tenge since 2022, but funds are distributed unevenly across regions. Senators proposed allowing local maslikhats to independently determine the procedure and timeline for stray animal population control, and to abandon the term 'euthanasia.'
Most stray animals are found in the southern regions — Almaty, Turkistan regions, and Shymkent. In Akmola, West Kazakhstan, and Pavlodar regions, results are better. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, under the 'Taza Kazakhstan' initiative, ordered stricter penalties for animal cruelty.
