13.5.2026
Morocco desperate to rid its streets of stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup has embarked on mass killing of the animals.
Morocco is co-hosting the 2030 world football fiesta alongside Spain and Portugal
Images images of lifeless dogs strewn across the streets have sparked global outrage as animal rights groups accuse Morocco of cruelty against animals with the brutal crackdown on the country’s millions of stray dogs.
Local rescuers alleged some animals have been systematically poisoned and left to die in broad daylight, with disturbing scenes emerging from several cities in recent weeks.
The International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC) told the that one recent ‘slaughter’ took place on May 9, when members of the Al-Huda Association for Biodiversity and Cat Care said dog catchers poisoned animals in the city of Salé – a hub for the upcoming soccer games.
According to the group, many of the dogs were not strays in the traditional sense, but sterilized and vaccinated animals identified by official ‘TNR’ ear markings and backed by veterinary records. TNR is short for Trap, Neuter and Return.
‘What happened is a moral and legal crime against animals, indicating a serious lack of accountability,’ the organization said, according to the IAWPC. With Daily Mail reports