Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit said on Tuesday that Morocco has been the target of “systematic media attacks” spreading false information about stray dogs since it was named host of major international football tournaments.
Speaking in the House of Councillors, Laftit linked these narratives to efforts aimed at tarnishing the country’s image and misrepresenting its public health and animal welfare measures.
“These campaigns falsely accuse public authorities of inhumane practices, ignoring both the scale of the issue and the measures Morocco has undertaken,” Laftit stated.
He cited over 100,000 cases of dog bites and scratches in 2024 alone, as well as 33 deaths from rabies, 432 cases of hydatid disease, and 64 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Laftit defended a 2019 national framework agreement between the Interior Ministry, Health Ministry, ONSSA, and the veterinary council, establishing protocols for capturing, sterilizing, and releasing stray dogs. This model, he emphasized, predates recent international scrutiny and mirrors successful global practices.
To accelerate implementation, the Interior Ministry is working with municipalities to create and equip shelters meeting international standards.
Morocco has allocated 240 million dirhams over the past five years, with more than 20 shelters planned by the end of July. A facility in Rabat is already operational, while others in Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir, and Oujda are nearing completion.
Additional projects are underway in Ifrane, Sidi Slimane, Kenitra, Errachidia, Khemisset, Médiouna, and M’diq-Fnideq. Seven more shelters are under study, including a mobile veterinary unit pilot in Kenitra.
Laftit also highlighted the recent government adoption of Law 19.25 on stray animal protection and risk prevention, passed on July 10. The law introduces a national animal registration system, outlines owners’ responsibilities, and mandates facilities for stray care. It also provides enforcement and penalty mechanisms.
According to Laftit, the legislation seeks to balance animal welfare and public safety by curbing stray dog reproduction and movement. He argued that such a comprehensive approach is key to addressing a public health issue increasingly politicized by international attention.
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