Latest news with #straydogs
CNN
11 hours ago
- CNN
Why is Morocco killing thousands of stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup?
For 19-year-old Fatimazarah from Ifrane, a small mountain town known as the 'Switzerland of Morocco,' dead dogs are a common sight. Fatimazarah asked CNN not to publish her surname for fear of being targeted by local authorities. 'Walking to school, I would pass pools of blood on the street,' she recalled in an interview with CNN. 'At a certain point, I realized it wasn't normal to start your day stepping over dead bodies.' According to Fatimazarah, the killings have gotten especially bad in the last year. 'There used to be occasional shootings every few months,' she said. 'Now, they are more systematic. They kill dogs like it's a sport – like people hunt ducks.' Animal welfare groups say the killings are part of a campaign to 'clean up' Morocco's streets ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the nation is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal, while Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina will all host stage an opening match each. 'Individuals armed with rifles go out into the streets, often at night, and shoot the dogs,' Les Ward, head of the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC), told CNN. 'Others are rounded up and taken to municipal dispensaries where they are poisoned. They simply disappear.' Omar Jaïd, President of the Provincial Tourism Council of Ifrane, told CNN that the city has 'started cleaning the streets of stray dogs, as part of our preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.' Ifrane is roughly a 40-mile drive (about 64 kilometers) from Fez Stadium, one of the proposed tournament venues which is expected to host a multitude of national soccer teams alongside thousands of visitors. Jaïd added that the animals are rounded up and relocated to dispensaries where they can be vaccinated. He emphasized he is a 'dog lover.' Fatimazarah, however, witnessed something different. On the night of February 9, 2024, she was jolted awake by the sound of gunshots. Stepping outside, she discovered three dead dogs in a dumpster. One of them was a male husky she knew from the neighborhood. 'I was terrified,' she recalled. 'I carried the husky out of the trash can, covered in blood. I didn't know what to do. I felt so helpless.' CNN cannot independently confirm who killed the dogs. CNN contacted Ifrane municipality for comment but did not hear back. 'Stray dogs pose a serious public health risk, particularly as carriers of rabies,' Mohammed Roudani, head of the Public Health and Green Spaces Division at Morocco's Ministry of Interior, told CNN. 'Around 100,000 people are bitten every year, 40% of them children under 15.' In 2019, Morocco's government introduced the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (TNVR) program, a humane strategy to control stray dog populations. 'We are working with local authorities to implement this in compliance with animal welfare standards,' Roudani said. But there's a major obstacle: municipalities, not the national government, are responsible for managing stray animals. 'There's a legal vacuum,' Roudani explained. 'Some cities still rely on traditional methods, and there's currently no law against killing stray dogs.' In some cities, stray dogs are poisoned with strychnine, a pesticide banned in many countries for causing inhumane suffering. 'We must deal with the issue in a different way,' Roudani said. 'No more slaughter. No more strychnine. We need an ethical solution.' CNN has verified footage of dog culling in cities including Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir and Ifrane. Videos filmed as recently as May 2025 show dogs being restrained with metal wires and tossed into pickup trucks already filled with carcasses. And it's not just animals at risk. On January 24, Abderrahim Sounni, a barista in the town of Ben Ahmed, had just finished his shift when a stray dog dashed past him, chased by a car. Gunshots rang out and three bullets missed the dog, instead striking Sounni in the knee and thigh. The 34-year-old recounted the incident in a local media interview, later confirming the details in a call with CNN. Sounni didn't believe the shooter saw him but was instead focused on the dog. As he cried out for help, bleeding on the sidewalk, the vehicle sped away. Bystanders found him and he was rushed to a hospital in Casablanca, where doctors were unable to remove the bullets. He said police later informed him that the vehicle belonged to the municipality. CNN has contacted the local police, who didn't comment on the incident. Sounni declined to provide further comment to CNN, saying he felt overwhelmed by the media attention. 'It's gotten to the point where people are in danger,' IAWPC chairman Ward told CNN. 'You can't have shootings happening on the street – especially during a World Cup with thousands of tourists.' In February this year, a coalition of 10 animal rights groups urged FIFA to address Morocco's 'increased capture and culling' of stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup. In a letter addressed to FIFA's Secretary General, conservationist Jane Goodall said she was 'absolutely appalled' to see Morocco's government 'engaging in large-scale killings of street dogs as part of an apparent effort to make FIFA World Cup venues more 'presentable' to foreign visitors.' FIFA did not respond to the letter but told CNN in a statement that Morocco's World Cup bid 'outlined its commitment to the protection of animal rights,' including the expansion of 'clinics and support programs for stray dogs.' 'FIFA is following up with its local counterparts with the aim to ensure commitments are upheld,' the statement said. As international scrutiny has grown, the dog catchers appear to have become more discreet, particularly in tourist hubs like Marrakech. Jane Wilson and Louise Jackson – two British residents living in Marrakech – told CNN that, until last year, vans openly displayed cages in the back with dead and alive dogs in plain sight. Now, unmarked white vans quietly patrol the streets, seizing stray animals, they said. In Casablanca, vans bearing the logo of Casa Baia, a municipal development company, are rounding up animals. Owned by the municipality, the company's website claims its 'expert teams are permanently mobilized' to 'capture and impound' more than 20,000 stray dogs per year. CNN reviewed footage prepared by an animal rights group showing dogs being dragged into Casa Baia vehicles with metal chains. Smaller dogs are shown ensnared in fishing nets, their bodies thrashing in distress before being thrown into white vans. Erin Captain, originally from Indiana, moved to Casablanca with her husband last year and quickly grew attached to the local strays. 'They're amazing creatures,' she said. 'I began caring for two puppies: vaccinating and feeding them, watching them grow.' Then, one by one, the neighborhood dogs started disappearing. Captain told CNN that Casa Baia vans prowled the streets day and night. One night, she says, they came for her puppies. 'They took them from outside our house, kicking them,' she recalled. 'One had its little legs broken; the other was kicked to death. It was a nightmare – I was terrified. My husband had to step in before they drove off.' For months, Captain paid to vaccinate as many dogs as she could. 'But the dog catchers came and killed them anyway,' she said. 'It's more barbaric than you can imagine. I don't sleep anymore.' Reached by CNN, a spokesperson for Casa Baia declined to comment on accusations of killing stray dogs or using inhumane methods to capture stray dogs. FIFA has been aware of Morocco's dog culling since at least 2023. That March, the European Link Coalition (ELC), a UK-based NGO, met with senior FIFA officials to present evidence of a rise in culling ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The materials included dozens of photos, videos, and witness testimonies – some directly referencing Casa Baia. In April 2024, FIFA Human Rights Advisor Marta Piazza told ELC that the organization 'truly valued' their input and was engaging with Morocco's government to 'ensure alignment with FIFA's bidding requirements' – the checklist of services and standards expected of a prospective host nation. A 'suggested way forward' was promised in the coming weeks. According to the ELC, FIFA then fell silent. The organization says it hasn't heard from Piazza or her colleagues since. In response to CNN's request for comment, FIFA said it is 'in contact with animal welfare organizations on this important matter.' Morocco's government is taking steps to regulate dog culling practices. Last month, Roudani and his colleagues submitted a draft law mandating municipalities to stop killing stray animals and implement TNVR programs. In a statement to CNN, FIFA said it had contacted the Moroccan Football Federation and 'received confirmation that a number of measures have been implemented over the last 5 years,' with new legislation in the works aimed at balancing public health and animal welfare. The issue is drawing global attention ahead of the 2030 World Cup, with celebrities including Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan condemning the killings on X, calling them a 'slaughter.' 'Football fans around the world love dogs,' Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch told CNN. 'Animal mistreatment could become a major PR issue if FIFA doesn't take concrete action.' 'It's not just a question of animal mistreatment,' added Nick McGeehan, co-director of rights group FairSquare. 'Having a clear knowledge of issues and choosing to ignore them – that's a breach of basic human decency.'
CNN
12 hours ago
- CNN
Why is Morocco killing thousands of stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup?
For 19-year-old Fatimazarah from Ifrane, a small mountain town known as the 'Switzerland of Morocco,' dead dogs are a common sight. Fatimazarah asked CNN not to publish her surname for fear of being targeted by local authorities. 'Walking to school, I would pass pools of blood on the street,' she recalled in an interview with CNN. 'At a certain point, I realized it wasn't normal to start your day stepping over dead bodies.' According to Fatimazarah, the killings have gotten especially bad in the last year. 'There used to be occasional shootings every few months,' she said. 'Now, they are more systematic. They kill dogs like it's a sport – like people hunt ducks.' Animal welfare groups say the killings are part of a campaign to 'clean up' Morocco's streets ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the nation is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal, while Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina will all host stage an opening match each. 'Individuals armed with rifles go out into the streets, often at night, and shoot the dogs,' Les Ward, head of the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC), told CNN. 'Others are rounded up and taken to municipal dispensaries where they are poisoned. They simply disappear.' Omar Jaïd, President of the Provincial Tourism Council of Ifrane, told CNN that the city has 'started cleaning the streets of stray dogs, as part of our preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.' Ifrane is roughly a 40-mile drive (about 64 kilometers) from Fez Stadium, one of the proposed tournament venues which is expected to host a multitude of national soccer teams alongside thousands of visitors. Jaïd added that the animals are rounded up and relocated to dispensaries where they can be vaccinated. He emphasized he is a 'dog lover.' Fatimazarah, however, witnessed something different. On the night of February 9, 2024, she was jolted awake by the sound of gunshots. Stepping outside, she discovered three dead dogs in a dumpster. One of them was a male husky she knew from the neighborhood. 'I was terrified,' she recalled. 'I carried the husky out of the trash can, covered in blood. I didn't know what to do. I felt so helpless.' CNN cannot independently confirm who killed the dogs. CNN contacted Ifrane municipality for comment but did not hear back. 'Stray dogs pose a serious public health risk, particularly as carriers of rabies,' Mohammed Roudani, head of the Public Health and Green Spaces Division at Morocco's Ministry of Interior, told CNN. 'Around 100,000 people are bitten every year, 40% of them children under 15.' In 2019, Morocco's government introduced the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (TNVR) program, a humane strategy to control stray dog populations. 'We are working with local authorities to implement this in compliance with animal welfare standards,' Roudani said. But there's a major obstacle: municipalities, not the national government, are responsible for managing stray animals. 'There's a legal vacuum,' Roudani explained. 'Some cities still rely on traditional methods, and there's currently no law against killing stray dogs.' In some cities, stray dogs are poisoned with strychnine, a pesticide banned in many countries for causing inhumane suffering. 'We must deal with the issue in a different way,' Roudani said. 'No more slaughter. No more strychnine. We need an ethical solution.' CNN has verified footage of dog culling in cities including Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir and Ifrane. Videos filmed as recently as May 2025 show dogs being restrained with metal wires and tossed into pickup trucks already filled with carcasses. And it's not just animals at risk. On January 24, Abderrahim Sounni, a barista in the town of Ben Ahmed, had just finished his shift when a stray dog dashed past him, chased by a car. Gunshots rang out and three bullets missed the dog, instead striking Sounni in the knee and thigh. The 34-year-old recounted the incident in a local media interview, later confirming the details in a call with CNN. Sounni didn't believe the shooter saw him but was instead focused on the dog. As he cried out for help, bleeding on the sidewalk, the vehicle sped away. Bystanders found him and he was rushed to a hospital in Casablanca, where doctors were unable to remove the bullets. He said police later informed him that the vehicle belonged to the municipality. CNN has contacted the local police, who didn't comment on the incident. Sounni declined to provide further comment to CNN, saying he felt overwhelmed by the media attention. 'It's gotten to the point where people are in danger,' IAWPC chairman Ward told CNN. 'You can't have shootings happening on the street – especially during a World Cup with thousands of tourists.' In February this year, a coalition of 10 animal rights groups urged FIFA to address Morocco's 'increased capture and culling' of stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup. In a letter addressed to FIFA's Secretary General, conservationist Jane Goodall said she was 'absolutely appalled' to see Morocco's government 'engaging in large-scale killings of street dogs as part of an apparent effort to make FIFA World Cup venues more 'presentable' to foreign visitors.' FIFA did not respond to the letter but told CNN in a statement that Morocco's World Cup bid 'outlined its commitment to the protection of animal rights,' including the expansion of 'clinics and support programs for stray dogs.' 'FIFA is following up with its local counterparts with the aim to ensure commitments are upheld,' the statement said. As international scrutiny has grown, the dog catchers appear to have become more discreet, particularly in tourist hubs like Marrakech. Jane Wilson and Louise Jackson – two British residents living in Marrakech – told CNN that, until last year, vans openly displayed cages in the back with dead and alive dogs in plain sight. Now, unmarked white vans quietly patrol the streets, seizing stray animals, they said. In Casablanca, vans bearing the logo of Casa Baia, a municipal development company, are rounding up animals. Owned by the municipality, the company's website claims its 'expert teams are permanently mobilized' to 'capture and impound' more than 20,000 stray dogs per year. CNN reviewed footage prepared by an animal rights group showing dogs being dragged into Casa Baia vehicles with metal chains. Smaller dogs are shown ensnared in fishing nets, their bodies thrashing in distress before being thrown into white vans. Erin Captain, originally from Indiana, moved to Casablanca with her husband last year and quickly grew attached to the local strays. 'They're amazing creatures,' she said. 'I began caring for two puppies: vaccinating and feeding them, watching them grow.' Then, one by one, the neighborhood dogs started disappearing. Captain told CNN that Casa Baia vans prowled the streets day and night. One night, she says, they came for her puppies. 'They took them from outside our house, kicking them,' she recalled. 'One had its little legs broken; the other was kicked to death. It was a nightmare – I was terrified. My husband had to step in before they drove off.' For months, Captain paid to vaccinate as many dogs as she could. 'But the dog catchers came and killed them anyway,' she said. 'It's more barbaric than you can imagine. I don't sleep anymore.' Reached by CNN, a spokesperson for Casa Baia declined to comment on accusations of killing stray dogs or using inhumane methods to capture stray dogs. FIFA has been aware of Morocco's dog culling since at least 2023. That March, the European Link Coalition (ELC), a UK-based NGO, met with senior FIFA officials to present evidence of a rise in culling ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The materials included dozens of photos, videos, and witness testimonies – some directly referencing Casa Baia. In April 2024, FIFA Human Rights Advisor Marta Piazza told ELC that the organization 'truly valued' their input and was engaging with Morocco's government to 'ensure alignment with FIFA's bidding requirements' – the checklist of services and standards expected of a prospective host nation. A 'suggested way forward' was promised in the coming weeks. According to the ELC, FIFA then fell silent. The organization says it hasn't heard from Piazza or her colleagues since. In response to CNN's request for comment, FIFA said it is 'in contact with animal welfare organizations on this important matter.' Morocco's government is taking steps to regulate dog culling practices. Last month, Roudani and his colleagues submitted a draft law mandating municipalities to stop killing stray animals and implement TNVR programs. In a statement to CNN, FIFA said it had contacted the Moroccan Football Federation and 'received confirmation that a number of measures have been implemented over the last 5 years,' with new legislation in the works aimed at balancing public health and animal welfare. The issue is drawing global attention ahead of the 2030 World Cup, with celebrities including Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan condemning the killings on X, calling them a 'slaughter.' 'Football fans around the world love dogs,' Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch told CNN. 'Animal mistreatment could become a major PR issue if FIFA doesn't take concrete action.' 'It's not just a question of animal mistreatment,' added Nick McGeehan, co-director of rights group FairSquare. 'Having a clear knowledge of issues and choosing to ignore them – that's a breach of basic human decency.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Number of stray dogs found in Bolton being put to sleep is increasing
The number of stray dogs being put down doubled in the last year, new figures have revealed. A request made under the Freedom of Information Act has released data on the number of stray or abandoned dogs found by Bolton Council over the last three years. A spokesperson for the council said that if they cannot find the dog's owner within seven days they are handed over to Manchester Dogs Home. In 2023, there were 156 stray, abandoned or lost dogs found – 61 were returned to their owners and 15 were euthanised. The following year, 158 were found – 41 were returned to their owners and 30 were euthanised. In 2025 so far – 43 dogs have been found – with 19 returned to their owners and eight euthanised. A spokesperson for Manchester Dogs Home said that the figures were 'not surprising' and that they've seen an increase in dogs with health problems. They said: 'Due to the economic downturn and high veterinary fees we've seen a marked increase in dogs with multiple health problems. 'We are also finding that many people are not vaccinating their dogs, again almost certainly due to the economic downturn, which is also contributing to deadly diseases. Have a story? Get in touch at 'In 2024 alone, our charity has seen veterinary costs increase significantly and we have spent over £300,000 due to medical costs.' They added that there has been an increase in dogs entering their care after the ban on XL Bully dogs at the end of 2023. The spokesperson said that both of these had led to fewer people claiming strays and an increase in dogs being euthanised. READ MORE: Free cat health clinic by RSPCA at Walkden Shopping Centre READ MORE: Neighbours' shock after XL Bully attack in Horwich READ MORE: Meet Nya: The new therapy dog at TransPennine Express The spokeperson said: 'We give every dog that comes into our care the best chance, but unfortunately each dog that comes under the Dangerous Dog Act is out of our hands and the law has to be followed. 'Euthanasia due to medical grounds would be a decision for our vet. 'The other factor is that a dog may be euthanised due to aggression, we are very lucky that we are able to work with the vast majority of dogs that come into our care and we have an assessment process with our dedicated team before any decision is made but we do also check with the veterinary team in case the cause of the aggression is medical.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Nowhere to take thousands of dogs roaming Memphis streets
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Contessia Humphrey went to Memphis Animal Services on Tuesday to drop off a sick puppy she found digging through a trash can in South Memphis, but ended up leaving the shelter with a second dog instead. Humphrey said MAS wouldn't take the puppy, so she agreed to foster it. She said when she left the building, she was approached by a woman who had been trying to turn in a stray Labradoodle she also found in South Memphis, but was not having any luck inside. 'She was waiting on them, and it took them so long. She just finally said You know what, I'm just going to keep the dog,' said Humphrey. 'She said Ma'am, I can't keep this dog. Can you please take it?' MAS tells WREG that they are currently accepting stray animals, but only dogs that are dangerous, sick, injured, or in immediate danger due to an ongoing distemper outbreak still active in the community. MAS stated it's working closely with the University of Florida to manage the situation and find a long-term solution, but Humphrey said there are too many strays that need help right now. Humphrey said she was asked to bring the sick puppy back to the shelter two days later when a veterinarian would be available. After Humphrey told them the puppy couldn't wait, she was sent to the Emergency Animal Hospital on Summer Avenue. 'So, I took the baby there and we were there like almost all night because they had a lot of animals. They had a lot of animal emergencies.' Humphrey said. Last fall, MAS said the city's stray dog problem was overwhelming the animal shelter. At the time, Interim Director Mary Claire Borys said around 20,000 stray dogs were living on the streets of Memphis. The same day Humphrey posted a picture of Daisy to the Lost and Found Dogs of Memphis, another person posted video of six puppies dumped on Boswell Avenue in East Memphis. 'I live in South Memphis, so many strays are in South Memphis,' said Humphrey. MAS is still encouraging the public to report strays to 901-545-COPS. However, the shelter is also asking people who find strays to reach out to local rescue groups or the Humane Society. The Real Good Dog Rescue said they receive numerous calls from people who have tried MAS and the Humane Society for help with a stray. The group said they are also getting more and more calls from dog owners who say they are moving and can't take their dog with them. The Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County said it is closed for any new intake appointments until the week of the 22nd. The Humane Society recommends submitting a surrender request if a stray pet is found, but cannot guarantee if and when they will be able to accept that animal based on their current capacity for care. To submit a surrender request, visit to look at the adoptable animals at MAS, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Malay Mail
As Kuching fights rabies, mayor reminds advocates ‘I totally get your love for animals, but human lives are equally precious'
Kuching mayor tells animals lovers to 'love and protect' them, but follow law on stray control KUCHING, May 25 — Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng has appealed to animal lovers, both individuals and organisations, to comply with existing legal provisions when addressing issues related to stray dogs. He emphasised that animal lovers should not interfere with enforcement officers carrying out their duties. 'Do abide by our laws and do not get in the way of our enforcement. This is to help bring down the risk of rabies infections so as to ensure the safety of all,' he said during his Facebook live session 'Shall WEE Talk' yesterday. Wee shared a recent incident where Kuching South City Council (MBKS) enforcement officers responded to a public complaint about a stray dog in a residential area. However, when the MBKS team arrived at the site and prepared to take the necessary action, a group of individuals intervened, preventing enforcement officers from carrying out their duties. '(As a result,) our enforcement team had little choice but to leave without taking any action,' he said. Wee reiterated the importance of responsible pet ownership, reminding pet owners to keep their dogs within their resident compounds and not allow them road freely. 'If you stand to protect and love animals, you of all people should comply with the laws. If you intend to take good care of animals, you should find them a proper place rather than allowing them to roam freely, which may cause anxiety to the community,' he said. Wee said he could understand the need to protect stray animals but emphasised the city council's obligation to safeguard the public from potential risks. Wee admitted to facing a dilemma – if enforcement officers did not take action, complainants would fear for their safety, but when measures were enforced, certain individuals would step forward to obstruct the process. 'I have nothing against animal protection. What I do believe is that these animals should be properly kept at home or a designated place.' He further emphasised that the authorities act with empathy when addressing rabies-related issues, noting that organising mass anti-rabies vaccination campaigns is one such initiative aimed at reaching out to the community, particularly pet owners. Wee regretted that rabies cases persist despite continuous efforts to contain the deadly disease. 'I totally get your love for animals. We all love animals. However, human lives are equally precious.' Over the past week, Wee noted that two rabies cases had been reported near SJK(C) Batu Kawa and a retail outlet in Mile 10, both involving stray dogs. He urged the community to remain vigilant with the Gawai festive season approaching. 'Be more alert when you're hanging out and pay attention to your environment. Public safety and welfare are our utmost concern,' he said. — The Borneo Post
