Why are animal welfare groups accusing Morocco of culling stray dogs?

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Animal Welfare Groups Accuse Morocco of Culling Stray Dogs Ahead of 2030 World Cup

Animal welfare organisations have accused Morocco of engaging in the systematic killing of stray dogs as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. These groups allege that Morocco is indiscriminately eliminating stray animals from its streets in advance of the major international sporting event. Evidence cited includes online videos purportedly showing dogs being shot or poisoned with strychnine, with some of the animals appearing to have ear tags that indicate they had previously undergone sterilisation and vaccination, suggesting a contradiction with non-lethal population control efforts.
Allegations of Indiscriminate Culling

Advocates claim that Morocco is actively clearing its streets of stray dogs, with concerns heightened by the upcoming 2030 World Cup, which the kingdom will jointly host with Portugal and Spain. The persistence of these accusations is fuelled by online videos that depict dogs being killed through shooting or poisoning. In some of these visual records, dogs display ear tags, which are often used to denote sterilisation and vaccination status, raising questions about the methods being employed for population management.
International Pressure and Activism

The accusations have generated significant international attention and pressure. An online petition initiated by the International Animal Coalition, demanding an end to the "violent killing of dogs on the streets and beaches of Morocco," has garnered close to 75,000 signatures. Furthermore, during a FIFA Club World Cup match, an activist disrupted play by displaying a banner that read: "Morocco: stop shooting dogs and cats." In response to the ongoing situation, France's Brigitte Bardot Foundation has formally called upon FIFA to consider revoking Morocco's hosting rights for the 2030 tournament.
Morocco's Official Stance and Initiatives

Moroccan authorities have denied these accusations, asserting their commitment to protecting canines and promoting humane population control. The government maintains that it has endorsed a non-lethal approach known as TNVR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release), intended to mitigate public health risks while managing the stray population. A bill aimed at protecting street animals, which proposes fines of up to US$1,500 or jail terms of up to three months for harming stray dogs, has been adopted and is awaiting parliamentary review. The interior ministry has also reported investing over US$24 million in establishing clinics for mass TNVR implementation, with one clinic in Al Arjat having treated over 500 dogs this year.

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Why are animal welfare groups accusing Morocco of culling stray dogs?

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