Morocco faces heavy criticism for plans to cull 3 million stray dogs ahead of 2030 FIFA World Cup

The North African country was recently announced as a joint co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup tournament alongside Spain and Portugal. Following this announcement, the government has been working to present a cleaner environment for the influx of tourists expected during the event.

Activists around the world are criticizing the authorities for using illegal and inhumane means to carry out the culling. According to The Daily Mail, Moroccan authorities poison these dogs with strychnine, shoot them in public spaces, and beat surviving animals to death with shovels.

The International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC) described the culling methods as “inhumane and illegal,” adding that millions of dogs will be killed in the process.

In response to this animal cruelty perpetuated by the Morrocan authorities, the IAWPC has launched a campaign called “Morocco’s Ugly Secret.” The organisation intends to document the actions of the authorities while calling for immediate international action from activists and concerned citizens.

“Almost every day, individuals acting on behalf of the Moroccan Government tour the streets: Shooting dogs around the clock armed with rifles and pistols. Rarely killed outright, wounding is a major consequence. Poisoning dogs using either ‘stick’ type implements with a syringe on the end containing the poison, to stab the unsuspecting dogs in the body, or through the alternative method of feeding them poisoned bait by hand,” IAWPC said.

The campaign has garnered the attention of top activists, including renowned primatologist and animal rights advocate Jane Goodall, who urged FIFA to hold Morocco accountable.

In an open letter, Goodall called on FIFA to suspend Morocco’s hosting rights if the killings continue.

“I am equally appalled to learn from the IAWPC – International Animal Coalition that you have been presented with detailed dossiers documenting these horrific acts, most of which are conducted in the most brutal and cruel fashion imaginable, and yet appear to have ignored them,” she wrote in the letter.

Disturbing videos circulating on social media have fueled public outrage. One clip shows a dog lying in a pool of blood, while another depicts a terrified dog being thrown into a truck filled with other frightened animals.

As the controversy grows, the global community continues to demand accountability and a halt to the culling. They want the authorities to consider other alternatives that respect animal rights and uphold humane practices.