A new law in Morocco… Goodbye to the chaos of stray dogs
The government has submitted draft law No. 19.25 to the House of Representatives, aiming to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of stray animals in Morocco and to mitigate the risks they pose.
This initiative comes in response to increasing pressure from local and international animal welfare organizations, some of which have accused the kingdom of euthanizing stray dogs. Their messages reached the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), urging it to prevent Morocco from hosting the 2030 World Cup. These actions have sparked significant reactions on international platforms, compelling authorities to expedite the drafting of this new legislation.
The draft, referred to the Committee on Production Sectors in the House of Representatives, relies on the principle of balancing animal protection with the safety of citizens. It stipulates the creation of a national electronic platform for the mandatory reporting of any lost or abandoned animal, with regular updates of their data.
The law proposes financial penalties ranging from 1,500 to 500,000 dirhams, along with prison sentences of up to six months for deliberate killing or torture of animals. It also regulates the operation of shelters for stray animals run by local communities, associations, or individuals, provided they obtain a license and adhere to health and safety standards, as well as undergoing annual inspections by specialized committees.
Moreover, the project mandates these shelters to employ scientific methods to control animal reproduction, provide medical care and nutrition, and consider reintroducing them to their environments or facilitating their adoption after vaccination.
Local authorities are granted the power to intervene immediately in emergencies if stray animals pose a threat to security or public health, including resorting to euthanasia in dire or serious cases. The draft prohibits sheltering, feeding, or treating stray animals in public streets or shared buildings without official permission.
This text is expected to generate extensive debate during parliamentary discussions, with rights organizations watching closely to assess its implementation effectiveness amid ongoing discussions about reconciling animal protection with public safety demands.
