Morocco slams as ‘unfounded’ reports accusing it of mass dog culling

Morocco’s interior ministry has dismissed as “unfounded” the reports on international media claiming the country was planning a mass culling of stray dogs ahead of the World Cup in 2030.

The Daily Mail, a UK tabloid, and other like-minded outlets published one-sided reports mentioning a Moroccan campaign to clean up cities of 3 million dogs.

“There is no culling campaign. The information stating that there is a plan to cull 3 million stray dogs before the 2030 World Cup is unfounded,” Mohammed Roudani, head of Hygiene and Green Spaces Division at the General Directorate of Local Authorities at the Interior ministry told the media.

“Local authorities are voluntarily committed to implementing ethical and sustainable solutions in managing the stray dog population, in accordance with international animal welfare standards,” he said.

“The Ministry of the Interior annually supports local authorities through various actions, including the construction and equipping of animal dispensaries, the adoption of the TNVR method (trap, neuter, vaccinate, release), and the strengthening of municipal hygiene offices with doctors, veterinarians, nurses, and hygiene technicians,” he said.