Morocco World Cup bid sees thousands of dogs slaughtered in horrifying clean-up

Thousands of stray dogs are being massacred in venues across Morocco, warn animal welfare groups.

The North African country is part of the only bid to host the 2030 tournament alongside and . But campaigners say three million are under threat of being slaughtered before it kicks off in a brutal clean-up of the streets.

The International Animal Coalition, who has launched a campaign to highlight what it called “Morocco’s ugly secret” said dogs are being poisoned with strychnine which is injected directly into their bodies or fed to them by hand through poisoned bait.

They also said gunmen cruise around the clock armed with rifles and pistols. The animals are often wounded and left to bleed out while thrashing and screaming in pain. Dogs are also hunted down and trapped with clamping devices and thrown into the backs of trucks to join other animals, before being taken to facilities to be inhumanely killed.

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The group warned that since made its announcement in 2023, the inhumane and barbaric killing has increased dramatically.

Campaigners now fear that if the FIFA Congress ratifies the decision on 11th December 2024, Morocco will use this as the green light to execute an apparent plan to kill as many as three million dogs. There are currently no other groups bidding for the games. In addition to games hosted in Morocco, Portugal and Spain, FIFA has said three matches in Uruguay, and Paraguay - to mark the 100th anniversary of the first cup which took place in Montevideo. - will also take place.

Les Ward, the Chair of the International Animal Coalition – an alliance of 20 global animal welfare groups - said: “For years, the Government of Morocco has shown no remorse for any of its actions, hoping that its ‘ugly secret’ remains hidden from international eyes. Dogs, street and owned that form part of the fabric of Morocco, are treated like garbage to be disposed of by any means.”

“Children that witness the killings are being traumatised. Calls and protests by growing numbers of Moroccan people are ignored and often met with harassment and intimidation. FIFA has been presented with the evidence about what is going on yet has refused to act. The killings have centred around proposed tournament venues and reach a peak before FIFA site visits.

He added: “This is unacceptable and something many football fans will be furious to learn. FIFA must act now to stop the cruel dog killings in Morocco. Until this happens, Morocco should be suspended as a co-host.”

This is not the first time street dogs have been targeted before a World Cup tournament. In 2018 thousands of strays were massacred across after organisers ordered culls in major towns and cities blaming rabies. The move sparked outrage among animal rights groups saying the country’s reputation was at stake and urged for vaccinations, sterilisation and shelters to accommodate the animals

Before the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russian organisers also planned to kill 2,000 to ensure safety, and "protect the image" of the country. The boss of the firm tasked with catching the dogs sparked fury by branding them as "biological trash".

President was forced to reverse the decision due to the worldwide condemnation of the move. Local authorities issued assurances that stray animals would be sent to shelters. A similar plan for a cull in before Euro 2012 caused outrage.

FIFA, the Moroccan Federation and the Moroccan Embassy in London have all been approached for comment.

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