The massacre of dogs and cats in Nukus was reported by the Society for the Protection of Animals “Mehr va Oqibat”. On July 7, the townspeople discovered a hole in which there were over 100 animal units. It is noted that the muzzles and paws of the animals were tied with wire, and there were numerous wounds on the bodies. The published photos show the scale of fanaticism.
In the collective statement of the citizens of Nukus, about 150 dogs disappeared from the territory of the trapping service on June 22-23. According to zoo volunteers who come to feed and water the animals, the trapping staff explained the disappearance of the dogs by the fact that they were supposedly “released outside the city”.
“Mehr va Oqibat” appealed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Karakalpakstan, as well as the prosecutor’s office with a call to look into the situation, find the perpetrators and punish them according to the law.
Employees of the capture service use poisons and stab stray dogs and cats with special knitting needles. This is often done in front of the children.
To justify such actions, the authorities use arguments that speak of the danger of rabies infection and attacks on people but almost completely exclude the humane methods of treating animals to prevent tragedies.
In the two years of the pandemic, cases of pet abandonment have become more frequent, and this has only exacerbated the situation. Mass cruelty to animals is frequent in Uzbekistan. In 2019, the online publication Gazeta.uz published a report from Samarkand, where dogs and cats were poisoned en masse. In 2018, the extermination of animals was reported in Pakhtakor, Jizzakh region, which lasted for many years. Even in the country’s capital, the condition and working methods of the trapping service remain deplorable.
Animal rights activists are often powerless to prevent the killing of animals. It is extremely rare to bring the perpetrators of the massacre to justice. But the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for PR are happy to report on the capture of torturers who post videos of torture of various living creatures on social networks.
An article on cruelty to animals has been introduced into the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. For their torture, which caused death or injury, a fine, community or correctional labor, as well as restriction or imprisonment for up to 6 months may be imposed. Criminal liability comes after an administrative penalty for the same action. The effect of the new law, as practice shows, does not apply to sadists from public services.
“Now the state of emergency continues in Karakalpakstan. Hundreds of detainees. Official data on the dead and injured in the riots do not inspire confidence. Under such conditions, no one will particularly investigate the appearance of an animal cemetery,” the ACCA expert concludes.
