Peter Egan Calls for Tourist Boycott Over Morocco's Stray Dog Massacre
My late wife Myra and I frequently enjoyed holidays in Spain and Portugal, and we always dreamed of one day visiting Morocco, having glimpsed it across the Strait of Gibraltar. Tragically, we never made that trip, and now, I am afraid the North African nation has plummeted to the very bottom of my travel wish list. This drastic shift follows the Moroccan government's alarming decision to initiate a nationwide cull of stray dogs, a move I find utterly reprehensible.
World Cup Preparations Spark Barbaric Killings
The mass killings have been launched in a concerted effort to 'clean up' Morocco in anticipation of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal. Thousands of stray dogs are being snatched from the streets each week by canine hit squads and 'destroyed' in the most barbaric manner imaginable. Estimates suggest that up to three million dogs could be euthanised over the next four years, a staggering figure that highlights the scale of this cruelty.
From Tangier to Casablanca, dogs are being strangled, poisoned, or shot in full view of the public, causing immense trauma to residents and their children. Tourists have also witnessed appalling acts of cruelty, with one holidaymaker in Marrakesh reporting a dog being strangled by a hit squad and another thrown into a van, where it yelped until being clubbed to death. Shockingly, some tourists have even faced threats while attempting to film these savage killings.
Tourism Promotion Amidst Cruelty Sparks Outrage
I am deeply shocked that the European Travel Agents Association has partnered with Morocco's tourism authorities to promote the country as 'a destination of excellence,' despite being alerted to this appalling cull. This collaboration seems to ignore the suffering inflicted on innocent animals in the name of tourism and global image. While FIFA is reportedly urging the Moroccan government to halt the mass killing, I believe more decisive action is urgently needed to end this brutality.
Advocating for Humane Alternatives
Outside of my acting career, I am a dedicated animal advocate and wildlife lover. I have two stray dogs—a labrador cross and a Staffordshire terrier cross—and I support various animal charities. I know for a fact that there are kinder, more effective ways to manage stray dog populations than the methods currently employed in Morocco. The best solution is a 'spay, neuter and return' policy, which involves spaying females, neutering males, and returning the dogs to their original environments. This approach prevents new strays from colonising the vacated territories and addresses the root cause humanely.
A Personal Plea to Animal Lovers
Personally, I would love nothing more than to explore the ancient cities of Fez and Marrakesh, and experience the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains. However, if I were to visit Morocco now, I would feel overwhelming guilt, knowing that dogs are being brutally slaughtered all around me. I would feel complicit in this ongoing mass killing. Therefore, if you are an animal lover, especially a dog lover, and are considering a trip to Morocco, I urge you to reconsider before booking your holiday. Your choice can send a powerful message against such cruelty.
Peter Egan supports the work of the International Animal Coalition (iawpc.org).
