A global coalition of leading animal charities has today written directly to the King of Morocco urging action on the inhumane slaughter of the country’s dogs.
King Mohammed VI, has received a dossier from the International Animal Coalition, an alliance of 22 respected animal welfare and protection groups, calling for him to intervene on a widespread cull, which is taking place in the cities of Morocco to clear the street dog population.
As part of the brutal cull, dogs who are either owned or stray are beaten and tortured on the streets of Morocco, either by shooting, poisoning or ‘catch and kill’.
At the same time, the International Animal Coalition has also released its latest campaign video – Rosa’s Story. This moving film, through the eyes of Moroccan street dog Rosa, tells of the violence and inhumanity being inflicted on her and other street dogs and which in turn, is causing trauma and placing at risk the health of Morocco’s vulnerable children.
The Moroccan Government’s relentless, merciless and ever-increasing toll of street and owned dogs being brutally killed continues, now being driven in preparation for the FIFA 2030 World Cup tournament, which the country hopes to co-host along with Spain and Portugal.
In the letter the Coalition warned: “There is a growing sense of foreboding, both locally and internationally, that if the FIFA Congress to be held on the 11th December 2024, ratifies its previous October 2023 decision, the Government will seek to cleanse its streets by inhumanely exterminating up to 3-million dogs before the 2030 World Cup begins.
“We have written to the Government on a number of occasions, making it unambiguously clear, that Morocco through its cruel shooting, poisoning and ‘catch and kill’ programmes of street and owned dogs, is in breach of all recognised and acceptable standards of civilised behaviour in relation to the humane treatment, welfare and protection of dogs. Unsurprisingly, it never responds. We have written to FIFA on numerous occasions, including providing them with regular dossiers keeping them updated on the deteriorating situation.”
The letter, and accompanying evidence dossier, also warns that children are witnessing the gruesome killings, which is in contravention with their human rights.
The document added: “You will be aware that this violence and these killings are being witnessed by children. Therefore, Morocco is also in breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 19) and supporting General Comment 26 issued by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which states: “Children must be protected from all forms of physical and psychological violence and from exposure to violence, such as domestic violence or violence inflicted on animals”.
Les Ward, chairman of the International Animal Coalition (IAWPC), said: “We hope that King Mohammed VI will read and consider our heartfelt plea carefully, and understand what a damaging effect this brutality is having on the Moroccan people, its animal population and Morocco’s reputation on the global stage. His enlightened leadership is urgently needed to end this madness!!”
To find out more go to www.iawpc.org