World Cup shame: Morocco slaughters stray dogs while FIFA does nothing

Morocco’s streets have become a warzone for stray canines.

The country of North Africa is preparing to co-host with Spain and Portugal the 2030 FIFA World Cup. There are horrifying reports emerging. According to reports, stray dogs have been shot, poisoned and even burned alive.

Animal protection groups are referring to a “state-led extermination” campaign, claiming that Morocco is conducting a “cleanup operation” to give the world a polished appearance. All at the price of thousands innocent lives.

“Like Auschwitz for dogs”

The Moroccan Society for the Protection of Animals, (SPA du Maroc), has made alarming comparisons with Nazi concentration camps.

The facilities are described as places where dogs are burned alive for lack of poison and time.

They are doing the same thing Hitler did to Jews. The dogs are trapped in vans and many of them die while in transit, or they’re incinerated when they arrive,” according to a spokesperson. El Mundo.

Since FIFA announced in October 2023 that Morocco will host the 2030 World Cup, the number of murders has increased.

Stories of tragedy in Morocco

International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition warns: “This is mass killing disguised as public safety.”

Moroccan authorities are reportedly not sparing even dogs that have been vaccinated and tagged.

In all corners of the country, we are hearing heartbreaking tales. A teenager from Ifrane told of walking through pools of blood as she walked to school. According to reports, in a nearby town, a neighbourhood husky that was loved by many people had been shot and thrown into a garbage bin. CNN.

Animal protection groups say it’s no surprise that these types of killings leave many children traumatized and terrified.

What is the Moroccan government’s justification for its actions?

Morocco has had the TNVR programme (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) since 2019. The TNVR program (Trap-Neuter-VaccinateReturn) has been in Morocco since 2019.

Costing about €60 per dog, it works. Rabat, in fact, has implemented it successfully. But the government hasn’t rolled it out nationally.

Why is this? Local activists blame money, corruption and image control.

Officials rationalize the killings citing rabies fears, but this is false according to experts. In Morocco, Rabies is responsible for the deaths of 50 people per year out of 60 000 worldwide. It’s 100% preventable through vaccines. However, education and accessibility are lacking in rural areas.

Ali Izddine is the president of SPA.

Chaos, bullets, and FIFA protests

Even some people have been injured by the chaos in Morocco. In January, while agents from the municipal agency were chasing through the streets a dog in Ben Ahmed, a barista was hit by a bullet that had strayed.

Three bullets missed him, but struck his leg and thigh. He survived. The dog did.

Jane Goodall demanded that FIFA step in. Activists staged protests during matches, such as the FIFA Club World Cup that took place in the US. And thousands have signed petitions to ask Morocco to end the slaughter.

FIFA is yet to take any meaningful action despite the growing pressure.

Animal rights activists say it’s high time the football governing bodies stood up for their values. One protestor stated that “the world is watching”.

Morocco’s canines are in danger as long as FIFA does not act.