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In an unusual move، Kazakhstan's Border Guard Service has put several retired service dogs up for sale on the state's electronic trading platform. The auction، which took place on February 20th، saw nine dogs، including German، East European، and Belgian Shepherds، offered for individual and group purchase.

Why the Dogs are Being Sold

The dogs، aged between 9 and 10 years old، have reached retirement age and can no longer actively serve. According to Kazspetsexport، an enterprise under the Ministry of Defense، simply discarding these animals would be inhumane. Instead، the service opted for a legal sale process to ensure the dogs find new homes.

Bargain Prices and Notable Sales

The starting prices for the dogs were remarkably low، with some German Shepherds listed at just 935 tenge (approximately $2 USD). Three German Shepherds named Marla، Morek، and Marisa from the Kostanay region were sold together for 2805 tenge. Another German Shepherd، Markiza، also started at 935 tenge. A Belgian Shepherd named Maira sold for 2،719 tenge، while a male dog named Mamont fetched 1،132 tenge. One German Shepherd، Maybach، saw a significant increase from its 935 tenge starting price، selling for 6،920 tenge. Two East European Shepherds، Mercedes and Magia، also saw their prices rise from a starting bid of 2،472 tenge to 7،053 tenge.

Public Reaction and Calls for Change

The sale of these veteran dogs quickly became a topic of discussion on social media. Many users expressed concern that the animals، after years of loyal service، were being treated as disposable assets. Comparisons were drawn to practices in Western countries، where dedicated funds and state programs often support retired service animals throughout their lives.

One social media post highlighted the disparity: "In Western countries، there are funds and state programs that cover the treatment and feeding of retired dogs until the end of their lives. Here، the budget for a dog closes on the day it retires. A dog is not furniture. It did not choose its service، but it served faithfully." The author suggested that laws might need reform to ensure heroes are not valued merely by the cost of a pack of cigarettes.

Activists reportedly monitored the auction to ensure all animals were purchased.

Kazspetsexport's Explanation

Kazspetsexport clarified that retired service dogs are considered state property and cannot simply be disposed of. The low prices reflect the dogs having "exhausted their resources" due to age. The primary goal of the auction، they stated، is to allow these dogs to live out their remaining years، ideally with the handlers they served alongside.

"Kazakhstanis are surprised by the price، but of course، the dog is already valued at a different worth، not by the price it was bought for. It served and exhausted its resource. The most important thing is that when we put them up for sale، we hope the dog is bought and lives a peaceful life with the person it served with. Now، the animals are mainly bought by their former owners and veterinarians،" a representative from Kazspetsexport explained.

The company also noted that canine specialists cannot simply take the dogs for free، as this would constitute illegal acquisition of state property. Participating in the auction is the only legal way to keep the animals. Border guards themselves expressed their deep affection for the dogs، referring to them as "their own children،" and were relieved they could now purchase and take them home.

Kazspetsexport emphasized their efforts to save the lives of these animals، contrasting it with the alternative of euthanizing dozens of dogs. They explained that there are no other means to support them as new، younger dogs replace them in service.