Morocco faces backlash over alleged mass killing of stray dogs ahead of World Cup
Morocco is facing mounting criticism over allegations that the country intends to exterminate approximately three million stray dogs ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal, reports BritPanorama.
Animal welfare organisations have gathered photographic evidence and documentation suggesting that mass killings are already underway in the North African nation. Reports indicate that between 60 and 70 dogs are reportedly being killed every other day in cities such as Marrakech and Agadir.
The International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC) has documented what it describes as brutal and systematic extermination methods, including poisoning with strychnine and shootings by armed patrols. “The dogs are left to bleed out, often thrashing around and screaming in agony,” the IAWPC stated in a petition.
Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo has voiced his concern over the reported cull, labelling it a profound ethical failing. “Killing millions of dogs to prepare for a global sporting event is not progress, it’s a moral failure,” he commented on social media.
The coalition claims that animals are captured using “medieval clamping devices” and transported to facilities where they are incinerated or disposed of in mass graves. Before Morocco was confirmed as a World Cup host in 2023, the IAWPC estimates that 300,000 dogs were killed annually, a figure that has evidently increased since the announcement.
Les Ward MBE, chairman of the IAWPC, accused Moroccan authorities of making false claims regarding an end to these killings. “These killings are taking place every single day, in full view of children, tourists, and local communities,” he stated, calling it relentless and inhumane.
The Moroccan embassy in London has vehemently denied these allegations, maintaining that no cull is taking place. A spokesperson stated, “It is entirely untrue that Morocco is planning to cull stray dogs ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup,” and highlighted the country’s commitments to humane animal management practices.
FIFA has stated that it is collaborating with the IAWPC to submit animal welfare recommendations to Moroccan authorities, while also working to ensure that the hosting commitments are upheld. Despite this, calls for a boycott of the 2030 tournament are gaining traction, particularly across social media in the United States.
The dynamic surrounding this issue reflects not just an ethical dilemma about animal welfare, but also the broader ramifications of how sporting events intersect with social responsibility. As the World Cup approaches, the implications of these actions echo well beyond the borders of Morocco, inviting a deeper conversation about accountability in global sporting affairs.
