Homeless cats and dogs in Morocco are being shot, poisoned, and left to die in cages without food or water, as the country is preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup football tournament. A series of videos exposed the horror:
- Men with rifles gunned down dogs in full view of shocked witnesses, including children.
- Some dogs were poisoned, while others were burned alive.
- Dogs and puppies separated from their mothers were locked up together (10 to 20 per small cage) without food, water, or basic medical care and intentionally left to die in what were supposedly “shelters” all around the country.
3 Million Animals May Be Murdered
Mass killings are reportedly being carried out to “beautify” the host cities of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, as Morocco prepares to join Spain and Portugal in hosting the tournament. The Moroccan government is reportedly planning to exterminate 99% of all homeless dogs (approximately 3 million of them) across the country.
Morocco Fails to Uphold Its Commitment to Humane Treatment
Authorities have used public health as an excuse for the slaughter, but previously, they pledged to implement sterilisation and vaccination programs to control the spread of rabies.
The government has not delivered on this promise. Instead, charity organisations throughout Morocco have neutered more than 6,000 homeless dogs and cats in the last few years. While these efforts are commendable, they cannot begin to address the staggering population of an estimated 3 million homeless animals across the country. The government must step in and provide humane and effective population control solutions.
Careless Massacre
Shooting, poisoning, and burning dogs is anything but humane. We’re calling for a humane approach to the homeless animal crisis. In addition to appeals to government authorities, PETA Asia has written to FIFA, asking it not to stand by silently while this devastating extermination occurs on its behalf.