The issue of stray dogs in Kyrgyzstan is becoming increasingly acute. There are two opposing opinions among the population: some care for the animals by feeding them, while others feel fear from potential attacks and demand that authorities take strict measures.
According to official data, around 14,000 dogs were destroyed in Bishkek over the 10 months of 2025. Questions regarding the legality of culling, the powers of the municipal enterprise "Tazalyk," and alternative solutions to the problem remain open.
Journalist 24.kg discussed this situation with volunteers, lawyers, and representatives of the enterprise.
Tatyana Kudlai's Private Shelter: Life Outside the City
Tatyana Kudlai has been caring for several dozen dogs for over ten years. Her story began at Issyk-Kul when a spaniel joined her family, and soon she realized she could not walk past abandoned puppies.“Look into the eyes of the abandoned dogs. They are looking for owners and hoping they haven't been forgotten. How can I just walk by?” Tatyana says bitterly.
She currently has 40 dogs, and all her time is devoted to their care. Preparing food for such a group is no easy task, but she does it with pleasure, distributing portions during our conversation.
“I manage on my own; there is no help. Finding food for the animals is also difficult, but I don’t give up and constantly search,” she admits.
According to Tatyana, all her dogs are sterilized and vaccinated, kept clean, and do not go outside.
Students from the Kyrgyz-Turkish University "Manas" help her with sterilization, providing significant discounts on services.
However, not all neighbors are pleased with such a number of animals. They claim that the constant barking and smell create discomfort. Tatyana assures that there is no smell, and barking is only heard in extreme cases. She is ready to defend her pets like a mother would her children and bravely endures conflicts with her neighbors.
“Neighbors complain, even though they used to leave me puppies and kittens at my gate until the cameras appeared. Now they leave them further away, knowing I won't be able to walk past,” Tatyana recounts.
Scandal in Novopavlovka: Shooting that Shocked Society
Irina Krasnova found herself in the spotlight after a tragic incident when her pets were shot on private property. The shooter entered a neighbor's yard, prompted by complaints about barking and smell.According to Irina, the dogs were in enclosures, but one dog ran out into the yard and became a victim. The second dog was shot in the enclosure.
This incident caused public outrage: the shooting occurred during the day in front of a small child who was playing in the yard. The shooter did not consider the legality of his actions or moral norms.
Irina's family is experiencing severe stress, and her husband was forced to seek medical help after suffering a stroke.
Irina filed a complaint with the police, but it is still unclear whether this will be an administrative or criminal case.
“We must not forget that the use of firearms in populated areas is prohibited. What actions will the authorities take in such a situation? If 'Tazalyk' claims it was a last resort, perhaps they mean the law on self-defense. But the owner claims that the dogs did not leave their enclosures,” comments lawyer Zhyldyz Sakiyeva.
A Vicious Cycle: Culling Does Not Solve the Stray Dog Issue
In matters concerning stray and domestic dogs, there are two sides—those who show compassion and those who suffer. The former gather animals, while the latter demand their removal from the streets, considering them dangerous. Both sides are right, but the problem has remained unresolved since the collapse of the Soviet Union.According to Larisa Slobodskaya, head of the public fund "Kind Hands," culling will never solve the problem of animal population.
“By killing one dog, you are only killing one of many it could have given birth to. The best and most humane way is sterilization,”
Larisa Slobodskaya
Many, including officials, agree with this point of view; however, culling is considered a cheaper option. No one cares about the suffering the dogs endure before death.
Among volunteers, there is an opinion that culling serves as an additional source of income for shooters.
We recall a case several years ago when a café visitor, who ordered dog meat soup, nearly broke his teeth on a pellet found in the bowl. At that time, no one commented on this incident.
Reasons for Culling and the Formation of Dog Packs
Culling of animals occurs due to complaints from citizens about barking or aggressive behavior of dogs. Complaints about packs are also received.Larisa Slobodskaya asserts that a stray dog is a domestic one that has ended up on the street for various reasons. Many are unaware of sterilization or do not want to spend 1,500 soms or more.
For some, it is easier to simply take a dog out of town and leave it. According to Larisa, this is how packs are formed—by throwing out one, two, or three dogs, they begin to survive together.
Who is to blame? Ultimately, humans. We are always responsible for those we have tamed.
Many, including representatives of the authorities, believe that there should be accountability for each animal. But there is another side: will people take responsibility for a puppy if they know the potential consequences? Or is it easier to walk past, avoiding vaccinations and formalities? This leads to an increase in the number of stray animals on the streets.
24.kg Reference
According to preliminary estimates, it costs an average of $3.5 to cull one dog. In 2025, 4 million 253 thousand soms were allocated from the city budget for these purposes, which allows for the determination of the number of killed dogs as 14-15 thousand. This amount does not include expenses for the disposal of carcasses.
Authorities' Position: When Does "Tazalyk" Use Extreme Measures?
In an interview with 24.kg, the director of the municipal enterprise "Tazalyk," Zholdoshbek Chushtukov, spoke about the work with stray animals in the capital and the conditions under which capture or culling is applied.According to him, the enterprise has a special department consisting of a head and five employees who deal not only with capturing dogs but also with collecting the bodies of animals that have died in accidents or from natural causes.
Zholdoshbek Chushtukov noted that it is incorrect to speak exclusively about culling, as in most cases it is about capturing.
Culling is carried out in cases where a dog shows aggression. Sometimes pet owners themselves reach out if their pet becomes dangerous for the family.
After capture, dogs are temporarily kept (up to three days) on the enterprise's premises. If no owners are found, the animal is euthanized.
Zholdoshbek Chushtukov emphasized that culling is only conducted based on official requests. For example, if there is a report of dog attacks. These activities are carried out within the framework of the law, with the participation of a district inspector and representatives of local authorities to avoid accidental harm to other animals.
The director of "Tazalyk" denied claims that dogs are culled during the day and in the presence of children. Usually, operations take place in the morning or at night and only based on confirmed requests.
Puppies, according to Zholdoshbek Chushtukov, are not culled—they are captured. Cats are rarely captured, as he believes they do not pose a danger to city residents.
Legality of Culling: Does the City Have the Right to Destroy Dogs?
Lawyer Zhyldyz Sakiyeva emphasizes the need to clearly define who "Tazalyk" has the right to cull and how legal this is. The enterprise has a provision under which they engage in capturing. However, how the destruction of stray dogs occurs after capture remains unclear.Zhyldyz Sakiyeva believes that the case in Novopavlovka is outrageous, as the animals were domestic, and the provisions of "Tazalyk" do not apply to them. The state has the right to capture only stray dogs. If "Tazalyk" refers to rules regarding the keeping of domestic animals, it is irrelevant to the case.
“Tazalyk” should engage in capturing only stray dogs. Only capturing!
If a person releases a dog, even with a leash, it is considered stray, and “Tazalyk” has the right to capture it. This is already the owner's responsibility.
“The use of firearms in populated areas is illegal. This is clearly stated in the law,” emphasizes the lawyer.
According to her, a dog is considered the property of its owner. Under the Civil Code, animals are subject to the general rules of property and are protected by the Constitution. If an animal wanders unattended, it can be considered lost property, which must be reported.
According to the Civil Code: “A person who detains a stray or lost domestic animal is obliged to return it to its owner or, if the owner is unknown, within three days report the finding to the internal affairs authorities or local self-government, which will take measures to locate the owner.”
Thus, the practice of “Tazalyk” regarding immediate culling of stray animals contradicts this provision, believes Zhyldyz Sakiyeva.
