Fact Check: Municipalities in Morocco still legally kill stray dogs.

Fact Check: "Municipalities in Morocco still legally kill stray dogs."

What We Know

In Morocco, the management of stray dogs has become a contentious issue, particularly as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Reports indicate that municipalities are still engaging in the killing of stray dogs, often using methods that are considered inhumane. According to a CNN report, individuals armed with rifles have been seen shooting stray dogs in the streets, and others are rounded up and poisoned in municipal dispensaries. The Moroccan government has acknowledged the public health risks posed by stray dogs, with around 100,000 people bitten annually, particularly children under 15 years old. Despite the introduction of the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (TNVR) program in 2019, which aimed to control the stray dog population humanely, the implementation has been inconsistent, and municipalities often resort to traditional methods of culling due to a lack of legal restrictions against killing stray dogs (SPA DU MAROC).

Analysis

The claim that municipalities in Morocco still legally kill stray dogs is substantiated by multiple sources. The CNN article highlights firsthand accounts from residents who have witnessed the killings, describing them as systematic and brutal. Amina, a resident of Ifrane, recounted her experiences of seeing dead dogs on the streets and described the killings as akin to a sport (CNN). Furthermore, the head of the Public Health and Green Spaces Division at Morocco’s Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Roudani, noted that there is currently no law prohibiting the killing of stray dogs, which creates a "legal vacuum" allowing municipalities to act without legal repercussions (CNN).

The Humane Society of Morocco has also criticized the government's reliance on mass extermination methods, stating that these practices are both brutal and ineffective (SPA DU MAROC). The organization has pointed out that the TNVR program has not been fully implemented due to financial and logistical challenges, leading to municipalities opting for culling instead. This aligns with reports from various animal rights groups that have documented the culling of stray dogs in cities like Marrakech and Casablanca, where municipal companies are involved in the capture and killing of these animals (CNN, SPA DU MAROC).

While some officials, such as Omar Jaïd from the Provincial Tourism Council of Ifrane, claim that efforts are being made to relocate and vaccinate stray dogs, the overwhelming evidence suggests that killings are still occurring and are part of a broader strategy to "clean up" the streets ahead of the World Cup (CNN). The lack of a comprehensive legal framework to protect stray dogs further complicates the situation, allowing municipalities to continue these practices without accountability.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that municipalities in Morocco still legally kill stray dogs is supported by credible evidence from multiple sources. The absence of laws prohibiting the killing of stray dogs, coupled with reports of systematic culling practices, confirms that this claim is accurate. The situation is exacerbated by the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which has led to increased scrutiny and criticism from animal welfare organizations, yet the killings persist.