Kazakhstan May Sharply Increase Fines for Animal Cruelty

Senators have returned amendments to the bill on the responsible treatment of animals to the Mazhilis. The document strengthens requirements for the keeping and walking of pets and also significantly increases fines, Orda.kz reports.

According to Deputy Ecology Minister Nurken Sharbiyev, the proposed fine for animal cruelty would rise from 5 to 30 MCI for individuals and from 10 to 50 MCI for officials. For repeat violations, the fines would increase to 50 and 100 MCI respectively.

Liability for violating the rules on keeping, catching and walking animals is also being tightened. Fines for individuals would rise from 10 to 15 MCI, for officials from 20 to 30 MCI, and for legal entities from 30 to 40 MCI. Penalties for repeat violations would also be increased.

Administrative liability is being introduced for abandoning an animal before it is placed in a shelter. Roughly speaking, if someone throws it away. In such cases, a fine of 30 MCI is introduced for individuals, and 60 MCI for repeat violations. For officials, it is 50 MCI, and 100 MCI for repeat violations. For legal entities, it is 100 MCI, and 200 MCI for repeat violations.Sharbiyev said.

In addition, liability will be introduced for cases in which an animal causes harm to people or their property because of improper keeping or walking. In such cases, fines may reach:

• up to 150 MCI for individuals
• up to 200 MCI for officials
• up to 400 MCI for legal entities

The authorities expect that tougher penalties will reduce the number of stray animals and force owners to be more responsible toward their pets.

Original author: Ilya Astakhov

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