Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh Gulya Kozhokulova stated that Kyrgyzstan must change its policy towards stray animals, focusing not on cruel measures such as shooting, but on addressing the root causes of the problem. This includes mandatory registration of pets, sterilization programs, and increasing citizen responsibility. She expressed this opinion at a round table dedicated to systemic issues of stray animals in the country.
Kozhokulova noted that the current situation with stray animals reflects serious problems in governance and the moral state of society.
“Today we have gathered to discuss a topic that many prefer to ignore or address in radical but ineffective ways. The issue of stray animals in Kyrgyzstan is not just a matter of humanity; it is a mirror reflection of our society and governance. If we walk the streets of Bishkek, Osh, or any other city, we will see thousands of abandoned dogs and cats waiting for help,” she emphasized.
The deputy reminded that creating a humane urban environment was one of the priorities of her election program and urged the authorities of Bishkek to abandon cruel methods and focus on building shelters.
“This topic is very close to my heart. Bishkek should become a comfortable city not only for people and cars but also for our four-legged friends. It is necessary to create municipal shelters for stray animals, provide them with food, sterilization, and veterinary assistance. Shooting is not a solution; it is simply cruelty. A responsible attitude towards animals is a sign of a mature society,” she added.
Gulya Kozhokulova also emphasized the economic impracticality of shooting, noting that budget funds are being wasted:
“For a long time, the main method of regulating the number of animals in Kyrgyzstan has been and remains shooting. This method does not work. Every year, millions of soms are allocated for ammunition and the work of special teams, yet the number of stray dogs does not decrease. This happens because biology is stronger than bullets. New animals come to replace the killed ones, and population growth only accelerates. We are simply throwing money into the void by choosing cruelty over effective solutions,” she stressed.
To systematically address the problem, the deputy proposed three legislative initiatives: animal microchipping, the implementation of the CNR (Capture-Neuter-Return) system, and control over commercial breeding.
“The authorities must stop acting like a 'fire brigade' that only responds to problems that have already arisen. We need a strict legislative framework. First, it is necessary to require citizens to register and microchip their pets. We must know whose dog is roaming the streets. Second, support for CNR programs, which are recognized by the World Health Organization as a humane and effective solution to the problem. Third, control over breeding. Unregulated business in puppies and kittens creates new strays,” she added.
Furthermore, the parliamentarian noted that the responsibility lies not only with officials but also with the citizens themselves, whose irresponsibility leads to the emergence of the problem:
“We cannot place all the blame solely on the municipalities. Stray animals do not appear out of nowhere. Each such animal is a consequence of human irresponsibility. We are witnessing a crisis of irresponsible treatment of animals. In Kyrgyzstan, a consumer attitude is still prevalent: taking a puppy 'for protection' or 'for the children,' and when it becomes uninteresting or falls ill, it is simply discarded. The problem is not with the animals but with the people who abandon their pets,” she emphasized.
In conclusion, Gulya Kozhokulova called for joint efforts from experts, authorities, and citizens to transition to civilized management methods based on law and compassion.
“We need dialogue. The authorities must listen to animal rights defenders and experts, and citizens must understand that the safety of our children on the streets begins not with calling shooters but with responsible pet ownership. We must move from a policy of eliminating 'consequences' to addressing 'causes.' The level of civilization of a nation is determined by its attitude towards the weakest. Dogs and cats are completely dependent on us. And as long as we solve the problem through violence, we remain in the past century,” the deputy concluded.
Author: Sofia Berezovskaya
