Television presenter Lorraine Kelly has publicly expressed her distress over the planned slaughter of street dogs in Morocco, ahead of the country’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. Campaigners indicate that approximately three million street dogs are at risk of being killed in a brutal initiative aimed at cleaning up the streets before the tournament begins.
Speaking on her ITV show, "Lorraine," the 65-year-old host voiced her horror regarding the situation, stating, "Football is supposed to be a beautiful game, but instead innocent animals are dying and children and adults are being traumatised by this horrendous action. Tourists who visit this country also risk being subjected to this violence." In addition, she called upon FIFA to take a stand against the killings, insisting that if Morocco did not adopt humane measures such as sterilisation and vaccination, the World Cup should not take place.
The International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC) has been actively documenting the brutalities faced by street dogs in Morocco, reporting over 1,000 pieces of footage showing public slaughters of these animals, often in front of horrified onlookers, including children. Les Ward, the chairman of the IAWPC, remarked on the catastrophic nature of the situation, describing it as a "massacre" where dogs are subjected to extreme cruelty. He also noted the urgency of the matter, particularly in light of recent rescues.
One such rescue involved a small disabled puppy named Mickey, who was saved by a group of tourists while they were on holiday in Marrakesh. The tourists witnessed Mickey being shooed into traffic and promptly contacted the IPAW, which facilitated his transport to a local shelter. Following treatment for his injuries, including nerve damage believed to have been caused by a blunt object, Mickey is now able to walk again and is set to move to West London to be cared for by 29-year-old nurse Kitty Ormerod. Ward expressed joy at Mickey’s recovery, highlighting it as a rare success story amid a dire situation.
The plight of street dogs in Morocco is drawing increasing attention, with public figures like Kelly, renowned conservationist Jane Goodall, wildlife presenter Chris Packham, and musician Gary Numan lending their voices to the cause. Their collective influence aims to urge FIFA and the global community to intervene and halt the planned culls, putting pressure on Moroccan authorities to reconsider their approach to managing the dog population.
FIFA has been approached for comment on the matter but has yet to respond. The situation remains volatile as animal rights activists and concerned celebrities continue to campaign for humane treatment of the animals threatened by the impending crackdown in Morocco.
Source: Noah Wire Services