Livestock theft has decreased in Kazakhstan. This was reported by the official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Chingiz Alekeshev, at an online briefing by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In 2024, 1,026 livestock thefts occurred across the republic. This is 3% of the total thefts registered last year. More than half of these facts were committed in free grazing. The police have dismantled 89 criminal groups. They included 572 cattle thieves. More than 4.5 thousand of the stolen livestock were found and returned to their rightful owners. Thus, the number of livestock thefts decreased by 30.5% last year.

- Thanks to the comprehensive measures taken in general, livestock thefts have decreased by 64% over the past five years. In order to strengthen the fight against this type of crime, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with other state bodies, regularly carries out legislative, organizational and practical measures, - said the head of the department - the official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Chingiz Alekeshev.

According to the speaker, one of such steps is the adoption of rules for grazing farm animals. Also, administrative liability is established under Article 408 of the Code of Administrative Offenses for violation of grazing rules. In 2024, more than 38.5 thousand such violations were detected. In addition, a separate article has been included in the Criminal Code for cattle theft. It provides for confiscation of property and imprisonment for up to 12 years.

Last year, 2 events were held at the republican level against cattle theft, and 76 events at the regional level.

In January 2025, 69 cattle thefts were registered in the country. 53 suspects were detained. 10 criminal groups were exposed. 134 of the 450 stolen animals were returned to their owners.

To protect livestock from criminal encroachment, the Ministry of Internal Affairs recommends following simple rules:

• do not leave livestock unattended;
• use modern methods of monitoring by installing GPS trackers;
• do not forget to tag, mark and chip the livestock.
  
  

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/qriim/press/news/details/930084