The Kazakh government has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of a tax on dog ownership, pointing to the risk of increased animal abandonments and a conflict with current tax policy.
WHY THE TAX IS RAISING DOUBTS
According to Ulysmedia.kz, the issue was discussed at a briefing following a government meeting. First Vice Minister of National Economy Azamat Amrin stated that the initiative requires analysis, but potential risks are already apparent.
"The purpose of this tax, as I understand it, is to encourage people to care for dogs and reduce the number of strays. But in this case, adding a tax seems to have the opposite effect – it incentivises people not to have a dog. Because you have to pay tax for it," said Azamat Amrin.
THE QUESTION OF ADMINISTRATION
Vice Minister of Finance Yerzhan Birzhanov highlighted the complexity of implementing the initiative. According to him, introducing the tax would require creating a new animal registration system and conducting regular inventories.
"We need to understand the main purpose of doing this. If it's to increase revenue – there is no such need. If it's for motivation – it is more of a demotivating measure," he emphasised.
CONTEXT
The initiative is being discussed against the backdrop of amendments adopted in early April to the Law on Responsible Treatment of Animals. During the discussion of the document, MP Magerram Magerramov addressed the government, asking whether Kazakhstan is ready to introduce a tax for dog owners following the example of European countries.
Furthermore, the document provides for reducing the period animals are kept in holding facilities and allows for the euthanasia of stray animals.
According to Maria Grebenkina, head of the "Stop Trap" foundation, such a measure does not solve the problem of stray animals and could create risks of abuse.