Rabat – Waves of sensationalist reporting aimed at undermining Morocco’s efforts across various sectors, including its preparation to co-host the 2030 World Cup, continue to resurface.
The latest wave of similar sensationalist reporting was sparked by Italian sports influencer Fabrizio Romano, whose amplification of unverified claims from Western-leaning outlets like The Athletic is fueling yet another misguided campaign targeting Morocco.
On Facebook, Romano wrote: “Up to three million stray dogs could be killed in Morocco as they are planning to ‘clean up’ the streets before the 2030 World Cup, The Athletic reports.”
He also cited “animal rights groups” allegations on “mass shootings, poisonings, and even dogs burned alive in host cities.”
In January, The Athletic published what it called a “special report,” citing mostly anonymous witnesses who alleged they could not reveal their identities for safety reasons.
The article included a set of photos showing trucks and vans, which the outlet suggested were used to collect stray dogs. The outlet claimed strays were taken to isolated areas where they suffer neglect before being killed.
These allegations emerge at a time when Morocco’s government and local authorities are acting under high-level instructions from King Mohammed VI, who urged the cabinet to launch a humane, structured national campaign to address the issue of stray animals.
In 2023, the Ministry of Interior issued a circular urging local authorities across the country to avoid using violence against stray animals, particularly dogs.
The ministry also encourages authorities to replace inhumane treatment with different methods proven effective in tackling stray animals.
The document highlighted methods like promoting the Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return method, also known as TNVR.
The method is an internationally approved and humane approach to controlling stray animals, including cat and dog populations.
The ministry urged authorities to step up efforts, including awareness-raising programs in municipalities. It stressed the need to promote moral and effective solutions to tackle challenges associated with the growing stray dog population and other related issues like rabies.
In February, the head of the Department of Health Preservation and Green Spaces, Mohamed Roudani, denied accusations that Morocco is planning to kill three million stray dogs ahead of the World Cup.
Roudani, who serves at the General Directorate of Territorial Communities, emphasized that reports circulating in some international media are completely unfounded.
He told Moroccan news agency MAP that there is no campaign to eradicate stray dogs, stressing that these allegations have no basis.
Roudani stressed that Morocco is committed to humane and sustainable solutions in dealing with strays.
In December 2025, Morocco’s Minister of Interior Abdelouai Laftit recalled Morocco’s commitment, stressing the government is working with local authorities to create and equip new centers for collecting and sheltering stray animals.
He said that MAD 260 million has been spent in the last five years to help municipalities collect, sterilize, and manage strays safely.
He added that over 20 centers have already been planned by the end of October.
A witness from among their own people testified
Amid a wave of baseless and unverified allegations sourced from anonymous “witnesses,” several observers emphasized how such campaigns reappear whenever Morocco is selected to host major international events.
Sensational accusations suddenly surface in foreign media precisely at moments when Morocco is gaining global visibility, including its co-hosting role in the upcoming 2030 World Cup.
Recently, a British columnist has accused Western animal rights campaigners of imposing colonial double standards on Morocco over its alleged handling of stray dogs, as Morocco rolls out a $100 million national program built on sterilization, vaccination, and purpose-built shelters.
In an article published byThe Spectator, Ross Clark stressed that the international campaign against Morocco “exposes a Western moral blindspot.”
He said such campaigns mirror Western attitudes toward dogs.
“No civilized country would tolerate several million stray dogs on the streets,” Clark wrote, noting that stray dogs in Britain are routinely captured and, if unclaimed, euthanized.
In December last year, Reuters fact-check debunked a viral photograph circulated as supposed evidence of killings in Morocco.
Many critics used the photo as alleged evidence against Morocco.
The image shows a man pointing a gun at a dog. Reuters fact-check emphasized the image was taken in Iraq in 2008, not Morocco.
International reports frequently cover similar situations of strays, mainly in Africa and elsewhere. However, they fail to do the same for Western countries, where authorities seize and euthanize dogs and cats just because they are surrendered or left without adoption.
Many associations in the West offer “low-cost humane euthanasia services” or claim that they end life only for animals that are “too aggressive,” including in New York and beyond.
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