Unsatisfied citizens express concerns over inadequate fines for animal cruelty incidents in Abeyev region
Fed-Up Official Calls Out Animal Cruelty
In a stark statement, Daulet Abayev, the first deputy head of the Presidential Administration, has spoken out against the rampant issue of animal abuse in Kazakhstan. Taking to his Facebook page, Abayev underlined the urgency of addressing this pressing matter.
He shared his concern over the frequent online videos displaying tortured, abused, and neglected animals, which the public finds utterly horrifying. However, the minor fines doled out as punishment often leave citizens feeling unsatisfied. This dissatisfaction isn't unwarranted as the initial impact of such acts often extends far beyond what meets the eye.
Abayev cited the psychological concept of 'bystander trauma,' where an individual witnessing violence but unable to help the victim may later experience feelings of hopelessness and guilt. A 1997 study by Northeastern University and the Massachusetts Society revealed that those who cruelly treat animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people and four times more likely to commit property crimes. The American Psychiatric Association labels cruel animal treatment as a diagnostic criterion for conduct disorder.
Despite Kazakhstan's Criminal Code having Article 316 that penalizes cruel treatment of animals, the sanctions are generally considered too lenient. Abayev pointed out that only a single individual was convicted for animal cruelty in 2019, 2018, and 2017 combined. Yet, animal protection organization 'KARE-Care' receives up to 500 complaints about animal abuse every month.
Abayev highlighted the country's lack of a unified law covering the legal protection of domestic, wild, and farm animals. Current laws such as "On Veterinary Activities" and "On the Protection, Reproduction, and Conservation of the Animal World" fall short in regulating animal treatment. Several issues plague Kazakhstan's handling of animal rights, including the absence of animal shelters' recognition and standards, the variation in regulations for catching and euthanizing strays by city, and the lack of laws addressing abandonment, lack of food and water, delayed veterinary care, and other forms of animal cruelty. Dog fighting and the unregulated activities of contact zoos continue to be concerns.
Recently, Kazakhstan's animal rights activists launched a website where people could vote for a new animal treatment law. Thousands of signatures were collected in support of the initiative. Abayev confirmed that the President is fully aware of the issue and long-standing problems in this area. He has instructed the government, in collaboration with civil society, to draft a corresponding bill, which is currently under the President's supervision.
Insights from global trends suggest that elevating animal welfare to fundamental rights, like in Pakistan, could be key to addressing the issue in Kazakhstan [1]. Proposed reforms could also include sentencing enhancements, similar to Florida’s multiplier system for repeat offenders [2], and integration of public awareness programs with legal frameworks to address cultural attitudes toward animals. Kazakhstan might also look to international clinics like UVA Law’s human rights programs or HRW’s advocacy models for building institutional capacity for animal welfare enforcement [3][4].
- The cruelty inflicted upon animals in Kazakhstan has garnered significant attention, with Daulet Abayev, the first deputy head of the Presidential Administration, speaking out against it.
- He highlighted the psychological impact of animal cruelty, pointing to studies suggesting that individuals who harm animals are more likely to commit violent crimes.
- Abayev lamented the leniency in the current legal sanctions for animal cruelty in Kazakhstan, noting the single conviction for animal abuse in 2019, 2018, and 2017 combined.
- The lack of a unified law for the legal protection of animals, including domestic, wild, and farm animals, was identified as a significant issue in Kazakhstan's handling of animal rights.
- Abayev confirmed that the President is aware of the issue and is collaborating with civil society to draft a bill addressing animal welfare, which is currently under the President's supervision.
- International trends suggest that elevating animal welfare to fundamental rights, as in Pakistan, and implementing sentencing enhancements, as in Florida, could provide solutions for Kazakhstan's animal rights challenges.
- Efforts to address Kazakhstan's animal rights issues could benefit from lessons learned from international clinics focusing on human rights programs and advocacy models, such as UVA Law’s human rights programs and HRW’s advocacy models.
