WNAM REPORT: The situation with stray dogs in East Kazakhstan has reached a critical point. The city of Ust Kamenogorsk is of particular concern with an alarming rise in dog bites.
This problem poses a threat to public health. On December 17, 2021, a six-year-old girl was bitten to death by an off-leash dog on the eve of her birthday in the village of Leskhoz. She would have turned 7.
736 people sought dog bite treatment in the region in 2024. The city of Ust Kamenogorsk is the worse for dog attacks on humans with 467 cases, followed by Ridder and Altay district. 669 dog bites were recorded in the region in 2023, the region’s healthcare department reported.
The current infrastructure is insufficient; there are only eight private animal shelters and 11 temporary holding facilities in East Kazakhstan. To improve the situation, Ust Kamenogrsk plans to build a shelter for 500 stray animals this year.
As earlier reported, a 7-year-old boy survived a vicious dog attack in Zhambyl region.
