The streets of Morocco are reportedly becoming graveyards for stray dogs, with numerous eyewitness accounts and animal rights activists revealing grim scenes of dead animals found along roadsides, in bushes, and even with gunshot wounds on asphalt. Disturbingly, some witnesses have described instances where bodies of dogs, surrounded by flies, are discarded into garbage containers or riverbeds, while others recount episodes of men using nets and tongs to capture these animals, only to transport them away in vans. This growing concern has sparked allegations of a systematic culling of street dogs, with many believing that these actions are part of an effort to "clean up" the streets in anticipation of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco is set to co-host alongside Spain and Portugal.
Though independent verification of these individual cases remains challenging, the abundance of distressing photos, videos, and testimonies emerging from cities such as Rabat, Fes, and Agadir suggests a troubling trend of increased violence against stray dogs. Residents in Casablanca have shared stories of municipal workers transporting dogs to waste incineration facilities, where they are allegedly burned. Reports also detail horrific acts where dogs have been shot or buried alive at landfills.
Animal Rights Activists Decry Mass Slaughter
The International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC) has raised alarms about an intensified campaign to capture and kill stray dogs since Morocco was awarded the World Cup hosting rights in December 2024. The organization Peta, part of the IAWPC, has labeled these events as "mass slaughter," while some assert that such brutal methods were already prevalent before this recent escalation. With the World Cup still four years away, the urgency to address the situation has heightened, prompting fears that the visibility of the tournament will exacerbate the plight of these vulnerable animals.
In response to these claims, Morocco's Interior Ministry has denied allegations of systematic killings. Officials assert that major international events provide an "additional incentive" to expedite ongoing programs aimed at managing the stray dog population through sterilization and vaccinations. They emphasize that there is no direct link to the World Cup and insist that since 2019, there has been a commitment to reduce the number of stray dogs through humane methods.
The struggle to protect street animals is a long-standing conflict, often manifesting in a pattern of opposition between animal rights advocates and those who fear attacks from these animals and the potential spread of diseases like rabies. Authorities find themselves caught in the middle, tasked with safeguarding public health while navigating the complex dynamics of animal welfare.
Similar Allegations in Previous World Cups
This contentious battle plays out in numerous countries, especially during significant sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup. Previous tournaments, including the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, were marred by accusations of the preemptive removal of stray dogs from host cities. The FIFA organization has acknowledged Morocco's commitment to animal rights as part of its bid, stating that it is working alongside the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to ensure these commitments are upheld. The IAWPC estimates that there are approximately three million stray dogs in Morocco, although there are no official statistics to confirm this figure.
Despite the Interior Ministry's claims of no organized campaign to exterminate stray dogs, they assert that isolated incidents do not accurately reflect the nation's approach, which is focused on capturing, sterilizing, vaccinating, and then returning dogs to the streets—a method known as TNVR. The intent is to stabilize the stray dog population before gradually reducing their numbers.
In the town of Irfane, which is set to host some World Cup matches, local tourism officials have publicly stated their intention to "clean the streets of stray dogs" as part of their preparations for the tournament. However, this narrative contradicts investigations by online publications like "The Athletic," which reported that local authorities had ordered 1,000 rounds of ammunition last autumn for use against stray dogs, and that prior to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted in Morocco last year, dogs were allegedly burned or systematically killed in a slaughterhouse near Marrakech.
The situation remains fraught with tension, as verified videos from CNN depict culling operations in cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir, and Irfane. Meanwhile, the treatment of animals in shelters often remains hidden from public view. The IAWPC has reported that dogs in these facilities are being poisoned and disappearing without explanation. In light of these accusations, some politicians have dismissed such reports as fake news, suggesting that the battle for narrative control will intensify as the World Cup approaches.
To address these ongoing concerns, a new law in Morocco, partly developed with FIFA's involvement, aims to clarify animal welfare standards, imposing prison sentences of up to six months and fines equivalent to 1,800 euros for individuals who intentionally kill or mistreat animals. Conversely, lesser fines are also proposed for those who feed or care for stray dogs, leading to significant outrage among animal rights advocates.
Just days ago, a video surfaced showing a shooter in the bustling area of Tinghir shooting a dog with a rifle, while passersby recorded the incident on their mobile devices. The dog fell to the ground, and a man subsequently dragged it away by its leg, highlighting the urgent need for change and humane treatment of animals in Morocco.
As reported by faz.net.
