Even vaccinated tagged dogs are not spared by Moroccan authorities. Credit: Spa du Maroc Facebook Page
Morocco’s streets are turning into war zones for stray dogs.
Scary reports have emerged as North African countries prepare to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The stray dogs are reportedly shot dead, poisoned and burned alive.
Animal welfare groups are talking about a “state-led extinction campaign,” which Morocco says is carrying out “cleanup operations” to present sophisticated images to the world. At the expense of thousands of innocent lives.
“Like Auschwitz for dogs.”
The Morocco Animal Protection Association (Spa du Maroc) even makes a hindrance comparison with Nazi concentration camps.
This is a way to describe facilities where dogs are burned alive due to poison or lack of time.
“They do exactly what Hitler did to Jews. They lock their dogs in vans, and many die in transit or burn them when they arrive,” a spokesman told journalists. world.
The pace of killings has also increased since FIFA’s October 2023 announcement that it will help Morocco hold the 2030 tournament.
The heartbreaking story of Morocco
“This is a mass extinction disguised as public health,” he warned the International Union for Animal Welfare (IAWPC).
They say even vaccinated tagged dogs are not spared by Moroccan authorities.
Heartbreaking stories are coming out from all over the country. In Ifrane, we explained that a teenager was walking past a pool of blood on his way to school. In a nearby city, beloved neighbours husky were filmed and found thrown in the trash can. CNN.
According to animal shelters, it’s no surprise that many children are hurt and terrified by these types of murder.
How do Moroccan officials justify their actions?
Morocco has had the TNVR program (TRAP-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) since 2019. This is an internationally recognized humanitarian way of controlling field groups.
It costs around 60 euros per dog. In fact, Rabat has successfully implemented it. However, the government has failed to deploy it nationwide.
Why is this? Local activists say money, corruption and image control are responsible.
Authorities justify the killing by citing rabies concerns, but experts call this a lie. Rabies kills around 50 people a year in Morocco out of 60,000 people worldwide. Vaccines are 100% preventable, but education and access is lacking, especially in rural areas.
“When they want to kill a dog, they just say it has rabies,” says Ali Izdine, president of Spa.
Chaos, bullets, FIFA protests
Morocco’s chaos even injured some people. In January, Ben Ahmed barista was shot by a lost bullet as city agents chased a dog on the street.
Three bullets missed the animal, but slammed it on the legs and thighs. He survived. The dog didn’t do it.
Famous conservationist Jane Goodall wrote to FIFA and asked them to intervene. Activists have protested at matches (including the US FIFA Club World Cup), with thousands of people already signing petitions calling for Morocco to stop the massacre.
The pressure is rising, but FIFA has not yet taken any meaningful actions.
Animal defenders say it’s time for the governing body of football to stand up to its value. “The world is watching,” one protester said.
However, until FIFA opens its eyes, Moroccan dogs are at risk.
