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Morocco debates stray animal law: Feeding bans spark controversy
The Moroccan government is navigating heated public discussion over Draft Law No. 19.25, which aims to regulate the management of free-ranging animals. While the law introduces humane practices such as Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR), it controversially bans the feeding, sheltering, or treating of stray animals in public spaces without authorization. Violators could face fines of up to 3,000 dirhams, raising questions about the survival of animals released under TNVR policies.
The purpose of Law No. 19.25
The legislation seeks to address public safety concerns stemming from stray animals, particularly dogs, by introducing policies aligned with international standards for animal welfare. It defines stray animals as those wandering public spaces without ownership or supervision. Central to the law is a digital platform designed to report strays, register pets with unique identifiers, and manage updates on animal health and recovery efforts.
Animal care centers, overseen by veterinarians, are also mandated to sterilize, vaccinate, and release animals, with euthanasia allowed only in extreme cases. Partnerships between municipalities, NGOs, and private entities are encouraged to ensure humane management. However, the prohibition of unregulated feeding and care has drawn sharp criticism, particularly for its potential conflict with TNVR principles.
Feeding bans raise operational and ethical concerns
TNVR relies on stable, sterilized populations that remain in their territories, with access to food and water being critical to the model's success. Critics argue that banning public feeding undermines this approach. Strays denied food may roam further, increasing risks of disease transmission, road accidents, and conflicts with humans and other animals.
The feeding ban also clashes with Morocco’s cultural and religious traditions. Feeding animals, particularly stray dogs and cats, is seen as a moral obligation rooted in Islamic teachings. Criminalizing this practice has sparked opposition among volunteers, NGOs, and ordinary citizens who have long cared for stray populations.
Public health challenges of stray populations
Stray dogs in Morocco pose significant public health risks, acting as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases such as rabies, leishmaniasis, hydatidosis, and leptospirosis. Rabies, for instance, remains a major concern, with dogs contributing to 99% of human rabies cases globally. Other diseases, such as leishmaniasis, are amplified by stray dogs acting as uncontrolled carriers, particularly in regions like Errachidia and Al Hoceima. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive vaccination and sterilization programs, alongside waste management reforms.
Reconciling feeding bans with TNVR
To bridge the gap between humane control measures and the feeding ban, experts suggest several solutions. These include establishing supervised community feeding points, allowing registered volunteers to feed animals under monitored conditions, and integrating public awareness campaigns into TNVR programs. Such measures could align the law with both scientific best practices and cultural values, ensuring the survival and welfare of stray animals while maintaining public safety.