The International Coalition for the Protection of Animal Welfare (IAWPC) initiated a campaign to demand the Moroccan government to stop “the violent, massive and inhumane killing” of stray dogs. According to the non-profit organization that brings together 83 institutions globally, 300,000 dogs are killed per year, a figure that has increased since the FIFA announced Morocco, along with Portugal and Spain, as co-host of the World Cup 2030.
In addition to being fired y poisoned“causing a painful and prolonged death,” the dogs are caught with “tweezer-like instruments,” which has “a debilitating and painful effect,” and are then taken to facilities to be “killed in an inhumane manner”states the animal protection organization in its website.
They claim that the Moroccan authorities are responsible for “the brutal killing” of dogs, and that it happens in the streets in the presence of the public, in front of boys and girls, “many of whom have been deeply traumatized.” Likewise, they warn that 3 million dogs They risk being killed.
«Morocco does not have a law to protect animals or dogs. The king [Mohamed VI] made an arrangement in 2019, seven years ago, for stray dogs to be humanely collected, neutered so they could not reproduce, vaccinated against rabies and returned to their environment. The king said this, but it did not happen,» he said. Deborah Jane Wilsonvice president of IAWPC in dialogue with Clarion.
Through a video call, Wilson explained that his organization carries out two petitions with signature meetingsone addressed to the Moroccan prime minister Aziz Akhannouchwhere they urge him to end “his inhumane programs of violent dog slaughter,” accept collaboration from the IAWPC and introduce a “Comprehensive National Humane Dog Management Program.”
The second request, however, is addressed to the FIFAwith the aim that “suspend Morocco until they stop doing what they are doing”Wilson explained. «In 2024, FIFA produced the candidacy evaluation report. Morocco sent a statement to FIFA saying that since August 2024 the killing of dogs was prohibited and that they were developing humanitarian solutions. This is not true,» he stressed.
Every day, IAWPC receives complaints from Moroccan citizens who witness how men armed with rifles patrol the streets and they shoot the dogswhich, in many cases, do not die immediately, but remain wounded and suffering until bleeding to death in the streets.
Those who are caught with “medieval” restraint methods are taken to establishments far from the cities, where they are massacred, thrown into common graves and, according to witnesses, cremated alive. Wilson explained to this medium that IAWPC has the testimonies of boys and girls who witnessed the massacres and were “traumatized.” “We also have parents describing what their children have seen or heard and the effect it had,” he added.
Such is the case of a man – whose identity was protected for fear of reprisals – who told how Linda, a dog from the Bni Makada district in Tangier, was poisoned. «She was pregnant and they killed her (…) He loved her very much and he didn’t hurt anyone. We used to take her to the beach and she would spend the day with us. He was so important to us as a human being, as a family member,» he said in a video published on the IAWPC Instagram profile.
Between July and November 2024, IAWPC sent 16 emails to FIFAwith testimonies, photographs and videos that give an account of what is happening in Morocco. “They had the evidence. We want FIFA to hold Morocco responsible for their declaration because, according to FIFA’s own guidelines, if a country submits a declaration, that declaration is legally binding and forms part of the contract,» Wilson said.
In this sense, the vice president of IAWPC stated that the Moroccan authorities should implement a castration and vaccination plan to control the overpopulation of stray dogs. «The current pattern of violence is cruel, traumatizing for citizens and children, and does not reduce the population. Although it initially costs a lot of money, it is the only way. If you just kill them, those who remain alive reproduce faster. The killing has to stop«he stated.
The official position and silence of FIFA
The government of Morocco rejected “all allegations that suggest, expressly or implicitly, any decision that authorizes or measures that tolerate animal abuse, especially towards stray dogs.”
Through an email, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Argentina shared to Clarion an official statement, that the African country, in 2019, adopted the approach TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return)which consists of collecting the animals, sterilizing them, vaccinating them and identifying them for their subsequent release into their environment of origin
«Morocco became aware early on of the importance of a effective, sustainable and ethical management of the complex problem of stray dogs, both in its public health and animal health dimensions,» states the text, which details the measures adopted by the Moroccan government for the management of stray dogs.
Namely, the financing with 28 million dollars from a national network of dispensaries and shelters equipped and the creation of 130 Municipal Hygiene Offices with specialized veterinary personnel. Likewise, the development of research on oral vaccination, the carrying out of citizen awareness campaigns and the development of a bill that seeks punish animal abusepromote responsible ownership and restrict the use of euthanasia.
«Likewise, public authorities are willing to interact with national and international parties encouraged by a sincere commitment to animal welfarepublic and animal health, and safety,» he points out.
As for the FIFAAt the time of writing this note the institution did not respond to the consultation of Clarion on whether it received formal complaints and documentation from the IAWPC nor did it clarify whether it raised the case with the Moroccan authorities or whether it is considering taking any action in this regard.
