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Morocco’s legislative assembly has approved significant amendments to Bill 19.25, aimed at protecting stray animals while addressing public safety concerns. This decision marks a pivotal shift in the treatment of unowned animals, balancing humane care with legal accountability.
Legislative Context and Approval
The Production Sectors Committee of the Moroccan House of Representatives has overwhelmingly endorsed several amendments proposed by the government regarding the controversial Bill 19.25, which focuses on the protection of stray animals and mitigation of potential risks they pose. Nine members voted in favor, with one abstention and no objections raised during the committee meeting dedicated to reviewing the modifications.
Key Amendments: Rethinking Care for Strays
Central to the newly approved amendments is a rewording of Article 5, which previously prohibited any form of care—such as shelter, feeding, or medical treatment—for stray animals. The revised article now permits such acts within a legal framework, allowing for humane interventions that conform to the law. This adjustment responds to concerns from lawmakers who argued that the original wording impeded efforts to rescue injured or sick animals, countering the bill’s intended objectives.
Government Rejections and Flexibility in Reporting
Despite some proposed changes, the government rejected calls for explicit mechanisms for reporting stray animals, such as a dedicated helpline or local authority notifications. Instead, the administration favored a broader phrase—“by any means available”—to ensure flexibility in how citizens can report incidents. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ahmed Bouari, explained that specifying particular methods might create legal complications and that the current language provides greater adaptability for both the public and authorities.
Changes in Penalties: Striking a Balance
Significantly, the government has eliminated prison sentences for causing harm to animals as stipulated in Article 38, which could have resulted in incarceration for one to three months. Instead, fines have been raised to between 5,000 and 20,000 dirhams, reinforcing a strict yet humane approach to enforcement. Additionally, amendments clarify that penalties for violations do not extend to euthanasia conducted according to legal stipulations, preventing ambiguities in enforcement.
Moreover, fines for unlicensed animal care centers have been notably reduced, from a range of 100,000 to 500,000 dirhams down to 50,000 to 300,000 dirhams. This adjustment aims to encourage non-governmental initiatives and facilitate the formalization of civil and organizational efforts in animal welfare.
Revising Owner Responsibilities
The assembly also moderated penalties for pet owners who fail to register their animals or maintain health records. While previous fines ranged from 5,000 to 15,000 dirhams, they have now been adjusted to a more lenient scale of 1,000 to 5,000 dirhams. Similarly, the penalties for feeding or sheltering stray animals in public, which were set between 1,500 and 3,000 dirhams, have been reduced to between 500 and 2,000 dirhams.
The recent updates to Morocco’s approach to stray animal management reflect a growing recognition of the need for humane practices alongside community safety. As lawmakers navigate the complexities of animal welfare and public health, these legislative changes underscore an evolving attitude toward vulnerable members of society—both animal and human.
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Morocco’s assembly approves amendments to Bill 19.25, enhancing protections for stray animals while addressing public safety concerns.
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Striking a balance between compassion and public safety, Morocco revises its laws on stray animal protection.
