Morocco, which will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, has announced plans to cull up to 3 million stray dogs to boost its tourism appeal. The initiative has drawn criticism from animal rights groups and activists around the world.
The Daily Mail reported that Moroccan authorities are employing inhumane and potentially illegal methods to deal with the stray dog population. These include poisoning with the highly poisonous strychnine, shooting a dog in a public place, and allegedly bludgeoning surviving animals to death with a shovel.
The International Union for the Protection of Animal Welfare has warned that up to three million dogs could be killed as part of the campaign. Renowned primatologist and animal rights activist Jane Goodall also intervened, calling on FIFA to take immediate action to stop the killing. In a letter to FIFA, Goodall condemned the allegedly brutal methods being used and called for the tournament to be canceled in Morocco if the slaughter continues.
Although Morocco has legal protections prohibiting the killing of stray dogs, the report says authorities often continue these measures without intervention from local law enforcement. Animal rights groups promoting humane alternatives such as trap-neuter-vaccinate-release (TNVR) programs face increasing obstacles. The violence has left shelters overcrowded, struggling to cope with the influx of animals and depleting resources.
FIFA has not yet issued an official statement regarding this matter. Still, sources say the organization is closely monitoring the situation in Morocco and conducting on-site inspections of proposed World Cup venues.
The international community remains engaged, calling on the Moroccan authorities to adopt a humane and sustainable approach to managing stray dog populations, in line with global animal welfare standards.
