Earlier this year, news broke that Russia was spending millions of dollars to kill stray dogs before the FIFA World Cup began in June. According to news reports, up to two million dogs would be targeted in the 11 cities that would host the matches.
Now, Morocco is following in Russia's footsteps by implementing a similar stray dog killing campaign. Animal activists have reported seeing armed men, 30-40 strong, gunning down dogs in the resort city of Tamraght. Officials hope to rid the city of the dogs to improve its likelihood of winning the bid to host the World Cup in 2026.
But should a country that condones mass animal cruelty really be chosen to hold one of the most prestigious international sporting events in the entire world?
La Fédération Internationale de Football Association better known as FIFA is the global governing body of the sport and serves as the administrator of the World Cup. They set rules and regulations for both the sport and the countries that wish to bid to host the game.
Currently, they are turning a blind eye to the cruel lengths some countries will go to in order to win this multibillion-dollar opportunity. Because of this, nations like Russia and Morocco think slaughtering hundreds or even thousands of dogs is an acceptable way of preparing their cities for the games. It's not.
FIFA must make it clear to all bidding nations that they will not consider any country that condones mass culls in order to better their chances of winning the bid.
No sporting event is worth the massacre of innocent animals. Sign to demand FIFA disqualify any country who implements mass stray animal killings in order to win the rights to host the World Cup.
