New Regulations Spark Controversy
Recent regulations limiting the feeding of stray animals in public spaces have ignited an extensive debate on social media, particularly among citizens and volunteers dedicated to caring for street animals. These individuals, who have long been accustomed to nourishing and caring for these animals, now fear potential penalties for actions they view as humane and voluntary. The crux of the controversy revolves around Law 19.25, which focuses on the protection and management of stray animals, as well as the prevention of risks they may pose. This legislation was published in the official bulletin 7533 on August 10, 2026, following its promulgation by Dahir 1.26.55 on July 28 of the same year.
According to Article 5 of the law, "no one may take charge of a stray animal, whether by sheltering, feeding, or caring for it, except in accordance with the provisions of this law and its implementing texts." Meanwhile, Article 44 imposes fines ranging from 500 to 2,000 dirhams on anyone who, in violation of these provisions, shelters, feeds, or cares for a stray animal in public spaces, including on public roads, in multi-residential buildings, and in places open to the public.
Concerns Over Feeding Restrictions
In response to the uproar, Ahmed Tazi, a member of the Moroccan Network of Animal Protection and Sustainable Development Associations (RAPAD Maroc), expressed that while the law has positive aspects aimed at protecting animals and penalizing those who abuse them, several articles require clarification and revision, particularly those concerning the feeding of animals in the streets. In a statement to Yabiladi, Tazi emphasized that street animals require legal protections against torture, violence, and mistreatment, asserting that the introduction of penalties for animal abuse is a step in the right direction. However, he insists on the need to eliminate the article penalizing individuals who feed these animals or to more rigorously define its scope of application.
Tazi argues, "Prohibiting the feeding of animals in the street and punishing those who do so is not in line with our culture, traditions, or religion. Witnessing a hungry animal places a moral and humanitarian obligation on each of us: to provide it with food." He warns that the fear of facing penalties could deter some volunteers from continuing to feed stray animals. As an alternative, he suggests that authorities designate specific feeding points in each neighborhood, where citizens and volunteers would be required to go, adhering to hygiene regulations.
Furthermore, Tazi calls for the involvement of NGOs and volunteers in the implementation of the law through agreements and partnerships. The law itself allows municipalities, as per Article 16, to seek the support of civil society associations through conventions. He notes that the network had previously submitted proposals for amendments before the law was voted on, including the removal of the article that penalizes individuals who feed street animals, while maintaining penalties for those who kill, torture, or mistreat them.
Regarding the financial implications of the law, Tazi highlights the obligation for pet owners to register their animals through an electronic platform, obtain a dedicated health booklet, and ensure that each animal is assigned a permanent identification number. While he views these measures as positive, he warns that their implementation could impose financial burdens on low-income individuals. "Our society includes people living in precarious situations who nonetheless care for many animals without having the means to vaccinate them or provide health booklets. I urge authorities to support and assist them with vaccinations and registrations rather than penalizing them for the help they provide."
The law also stipulates fines ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 dirhams for any owner who fails to declare an animal in their possession or does not possess its health booklet. Additionally, it imposes fines of 10,000 to 20,000 dirhams on anyone who intentionally causes an animal to become stray or abandons it in public without control or supervision. According to Tazi, forthcoming regulatory texts must "precisely define the conditions for registration and how volunteers and associations should intervene with animals in public spaces," while simplifying procedures and clarifying them to the concerned parties, "to avoid divergent interpretations or cases of excess and abuse of authority."
He also emphasizes the importance of adopting an approach to "capture, sterilize, vaccinate, and release" the animals, meaning that they should be humanely collected, sterilized, vaccinated, and identified before being returned to the places where they were found. Tazi concludes by stating that associations are not in a confrontational stance with the authorities but are seeking to collaborate with them, alongside volunteers, to ethically manage animal populations and eradicate rabies and other transmissible diseases between humans and animals.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
