In Kazakhstan, a public controversy has arisen following claims about the possible trade of dog meat and its alleged use in the catering industry. The trigger was posts on social media, an audio recording of an unknown man, and previous statements by public figures.
WHAT IS KNOWN
The topic gained widespread discussion after the release of a podcast by Timur Balymbetov “ChestnoGovorya” (Honestly Speaking), dedicated to issues of animal cruelty. In conversation with the host, Sergei Snegirev, a member of the Republican Environmental Council of the AMANAT party, and animal activist Temirlan Tospayev claimed that, according to them, there is an underground business in the country for preparing dog meat for catering establishments.
Sergei Snegirev also stated that this involves industrial volumes and that such products, he alleged, could have been supplied to catering establishments, including in Astana. Specific names of establishments and alleged suppliers were not mentioned in the interview.
Excerpts from the podcast subsequently spread widely on social media.
HOW THE DISCUSSION DEVELOPED
An audio recording is circulating online, in which an unknown man talks about allegedly years-long supplies of dog meat, methods of catching animals, and the subsequent sale of the product. There is no official confirmation of the recording's authenticity or the accuracy of the information contained within it at the time of publication.
Furthermore, public figure Sergei Snegirev published a video on Threads, which allegedly shows a workshop for processing dog meat in Kaskelen. The post's description states that two girls had previously followed a veterinary service vehicle and discovered the alleged processing site. It also claims that one of the dogs, previously placed in a holding facility, was later found alive on this premises.
Additionally, the author of the post reported an alleged link between the head of one of the animal catching services and a catering establishment.
WHAT ASTANA VET SERVICE SAID
In an official statement, the veterinary service “Astana Vet Service” emphasised that to date, there are no officially confirmed facts of the supply, sale, or use of such products in catering establishments in Astana.
The service also reported that veterinary and sanitary control of products of animal origin is carried out on an ongoing basis in the capital, with checks on accompanying documents, suppliers, and compliance with food safety requirements.
According to Astana Vet Service, no facts of illegal meat product turnover or violations related to the activities of the city's catering establishments have currently been identified.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE 2023 CASE
Astana Vet Service reminded that the circulating publications are linked to events in 2023, when an illegal turnover of products of animal origin was identified in the Akmola Region.
According to the service, law enforcement agencies conducted an investigation, and the case materials were reviewed by the court. The guilty party was held accountable in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
During a search of a former veterinary service employee, 750 kg of dog meat were found. The man was fined 690,000 tenge.
CONTEXT
Previously, the Akimat of Uralsk signed a contract for the catching of stray animals with Orken LLP, whose main activity is stated as meat processing and canning. The contract value was 9,396,000 tenge.
According to the technical specification, the contractor is to handle the catching of animals, their transport to temporary holding points, and their euthanasia. By the end of the year, the catching of approximately 2,000 animals is planned.