Morocco Faces International Outrage Over Plans to Cull 3 Million Stray Dogs Ahead of 2030 FIFA World Cup

Elliot Kim

Elliot Kim

January 20, 2025 · 3 min read
Morocco Faces International Outrage Over Plans to Cull 3 Million Stray Dogs Ahead of 2030 FIFA World Cup

The Moroccan government is facing intense international criticism for its plan to cull approximately 3 million stray dogs ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal. The move is intended to present a cleaner environment for the influx of tourists expected during the event, but activists and animal rights organizations are outraged, citing inhumane and illegal methods of culling.

According to reports, Moroccan authorities have been using poisoning, shooting, and beating stray dogs to death, sparking widespread condemnation. The International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC) has described these methods as "inhumane and illegal," and has launched a campaign called "Morocco's Ugly Secret" to document the authorities' actions and call for international action.

The IAWPC has detailed the brutal methods used by the Moroccan authorities, including shooting dogs in public spaces, poisoning them with strychnine, and beating surviving animals to death with shovels. The organization has also shared disturbing videos circulating on social media, which show dogs lying in pools of blood and being thrown into trucks filled with other frightened animals.

Renowned primatologist and animal rights advocate Jane Goodall has joined the chorus of criticism, urging FIFA to hold Morocco accountable for its actions. In an open letter, Goodall called on FIFA to suspend Morocco's hosting rights if the killings continue, citing the "horrific acts" documented by the IAWPC.

The global community is demanding accountability and a halt to the culling, instead advocating for alternative solutions that respect animal rights and uphold humane practices. As the controversy grows, Morocco's reputation as a host country for the 2030 FIFA World Cup is under increasing scrutiny.

This incident highlights the need for countries to prioritize animal welfare and adopt humane solutions to address stray animal populations. It also raises questions about the responsibility of international organizations like FIFA to ensure that host countries uphold basic animal rights standards.

As the world watches, Morocco's response to this criticism will be closely monitored. Will the country reconsider its approach and adopt more humane methods, or will it continue to face international backlash? Only time will tell.

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