Lawmakers in the Mazhilis (Kazakh parliament) have discussed potential taxes for dog owners while reviewing amendments to the Law on Responsible Treatment of Animals.

MP Magerram Magerramov pointed out that countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Spain levy dog ownership taxes, which vary by breed, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

“Such rules encourage citizen responsibility and help fund local budgets,” he noted.

Vice Minister of National Economy Bauyrzhan Omarbekov said the issue will be studied before the second reading of the law, taking public opinion into account.

Vice Minister of Finance Aset Turysov clarified that currently, authorities only track pet registrations. About 241,000 pets are registered in Kazakhstan, and while taxes haven’t been proposed yet, officials are open to considering the idea if put forward by lawmakers.