Preparing for FIFA World Cup 2030 - The Mass Killing of Stray Dogs

Morocco has been selected as one of the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup host countries. And while this is exciting news for Morocco, they have taken matters into their own hands to "clean up" their cities by removing stray animals from them. I say removing, when in reality this has meant shooting, poisoning and suffocating them in masses in the streets.

In fact, the Moroccan government has publicly announced they are “planning to exterminate 99% of all homeless dogs across the country." (PETA). 

Since COVID-19, Morocco has been working hard to become a more economically strong and tourism-driven country, successfully progressing. It is a beautiful country known for the many friendly animal companions in the cities and souks. Cats and dogs can be found everywhere in the streets of Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez, Rabat, and many more of its popular cities.

It is heartbreaking news that, in preparation to co-host the next World Cup with Spain and Portugal, they have been carrying out mass killings of these poor animals. Over the last six months or so, these killings have not stopped and have proven to be extremely violent, violating animal rights and being legally indefensible. They have also been causing danger and distress in neighbourhoods and increasing the chance of diseases spreading.

What exactly has been happening in Morocco? 

They are “planning to exterminate 99% of all homeless dogs (approximately 3 million of them) across the country" (PETA).

Since 2019, the Moroccan government has implemented the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release Program (TNVR). This system is not nationally regulated and it is up to each municipality to take matters into its own hands. This has allowed mass killings to continue in many municipalities in Morocco that find it easier to simply eliminate them. 

They have been using brutal and violent methods to clear and "clean" their cities by

"clamping dogs by the neck, throwing them into trucks, and poisoning or shooting them before discarding their bodies in mass graves... This violence is causing agonizing deaths, traumatizing children, spreading rabies, and violating human rights and animal welfare." (IDAUSA) 

They are leaving poison around for the animals to eat called strychnine. This poison leaves the beings that consume it in agony for multiple hours, with their muscles and insides convulsing in pain before they eventually suffocate or suffer a heart attack. It is so harmful that it has been banned in many countries, including Canada and all of the European Union, for causing inhumane suffering. 

Catchers capturing dogs in Morocco violently bringing them to unknown location and end.

Additionally, the catchers have been seen carrying shotguns and rifles, shooting animals in the streets and even dumping young puppies into trash bags to suffocate. "For months now, between 60–70 dogs have been disposed of every other day in cities like Marrakech and Agadir." (IDAUSA)

CNN conducted an interview with a local woman living in Ifrane, where she spoke about the horrible daily sight of blood in the streets from all of the dog killings. Amina explains how the killings of stray animals have become more frequent, more careless, and more violent: "Now, they are more systematic. They kill dogs like it's a sport – like people hunt ducks." (CNN) 

Omar Jaïd, the President of the Provincial Tourism Council of Ifrane, spoke about how their initiative to clean the streets of stray animals is by bringing the dogs to a facility and vaccinating them (TNVR). However, Amina, like many other Moroccans, has witnessed firsthand the sound of gunshots at night, only to find dogs dead and bloody in dumpsters the next morning.

Sadly they are not the first country to commit such heinous acts against animals in preparation for a sporting event. "Previous World Cup hosts, Russia and Qatar, also committed mass killings, but Morocco's campaign has reached an unprecedented level" (IDAUSA).

Interventions

The International Animal Coalition hosted an important meeting with Moroccan authorities pointing out that the "crowding" of stray dogs and cats in the streets is not a problem that appeared overnight. It is the result of structural failures, including poor urban planning and the absence of preventive public policies (IAWPC). On top of this, the quick and often unregulated eradication of stray animals can actually result in an easier spread of disease and even "spread diseases more dangerous than those it claims to prevent." (IAWPC)

Because these killings are taking place in preparation for a FIFA World Cup, many animal welfare organizations argue that FIFA also has a responsibility to ensure host countries uphold basic animal welfare standards. Over the last few months, despite many petitions and complaints, it seems Morocco has not stopped the culling but has instead tried to make it more discreet...

Hosting an international sporting event should never come at the cost of millions of animal lives. 

With this link you can help make change by sending a letter to the Moroccan Ministry of Interior, calling for an end to the culling. https://support.peta.org/page/78730/action/1 

Read more on what is happening here: https://www.idausa.org/campaign/animal-companions/latest/dogs-clamped-poisoned-and-shot-for-world-cup-in-morocco/