Cases of animal cruelty have increased in Kazakhstan, with several disturbing incidents reported in recent weeks.
Last week, a video circulated on social media showing a woman brutally beating a chained dog with a shovel. In another case in March, residents in Almaty’s Alatau district discovered eight skinned dog carcasses in a courtyard. Earlier in 2026, a schoolgirl was filmed attempting to throw a cat out of an open window.
Psychologist points to root causes
Practicing psychologist Olga Tretyakova said the reasons for such behavior vary but share a common thread: perpetrators are often acting out unresolved trauma.
«They are trying to release pent-up tension on those who are weaker,» she said.
Tretyakova identified several of the most common contributing factors:
- Chronic distress: Wars, economic crises and inflation can leave lasting effects on society, increasing fear and emotional volatility.
- A desire for attention: Some individuals act out in an attempt to stand out or gain recognition.
- Erosion of moral and ethical standards: Tretyakova said schools are not adequately addressing moral education, leaving a void that can manifest in harmful behavior toward vulnerable beings.
Children learn cruelty from their environment
Tretyakova also emphasized that children are not inherently cruel but learn such behavior from their surroundings.
«Cruelty is bound to exist somewhere in the family or in their environment — they’ve seen it somewhere,» she said.
The psychologist noted that this exposure does not have to involve direct violence against animals. Emotional abuse — including pressure, devaluation, name-calling, ridicule or shaming — can also contribute to aggressive behavior.
Such experiences, she said, may increase the likelihood that children direct cruelty toward defenseless animals.
