This Thursday, August 25 in Oujda, the operation of vaccination against rabies and sterilization of stray dogs was launched. This is a national operation carried out by the National Council of the Order of Veterinarians (OVM) together with the Commune, City Council of Oujda and ONSSA.
Sterilization to end childbirth
The operation carried out in Oujda was the first stage of a large-scale vaccination and sterilization operation planned in the medium term throughout the national territory and short-term in five cities: Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir and Tangier.
This is the application of the framework agreement signed in February 2019 between the “Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) and the National Council of the “Order of Veterinarians of Morocco (OVM)” indicates. to Médias24, Dr. Badre Tnacheri Ouazzani, president of OVM.
A convention whose application has been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and budget constraints, explains our origin.
The operation is based on sterilization because it “stops childbirth” insisted the president of OVM in a declaration to Médias24.
“2,000 private veterinarians and ONSSA agents will participate in this campaign that also covers some rural areas” specifies a press release from the National Council of the Order of Veterinarians published this Thursday, August 25 .
“Due to the lack of shelter, the operation will be carried out in the private offices of veterinarians” explained Mr. Tnacheri Ouazzani. “The municipality will take care of catching the dogs before they are taken to the cabinets. It is true, it is strict for the vets but this action is necessary”, he explained to us.
The construction of shelters has also been delayed.
Under the vaccination and sterilization operations, the agreement provides for the construction of shelters “according to standards that respect animal welfare. These structures must also accommodate veterinary surgery.” describes the our conversation partner.
And to continue: “the establishment and management of the shelters is entrusted to the local authorities. The National Order organizes the veterinary services there and trains the agents for catching the dogs”.
So far, only one refuge has emerged from the ground, in Rabat. Their importance lies in the surgical work of sterilization, vaccination against rabies, but also in the convalescence of animals. “We can only release the dogs after 4 or 5 days, because they are very weak,” explained Dr. Badre Tnacheri Ouazzani.
“Let’s also be careful to release them where they were caught, that is, their territory, so that they don’t lose their belongings. Treated dogs can be identified thanks to a numbered earring, to reassure the population about their health,” he explained.
Municipalities responsible for combating stray dogs
The reactivation of this framework agreement echoes the recent tragedy that occurred a few days ago in Dakhla with the death of a French tourist from injuries caused by an attack by a group of stray dogs. This amazing news reminds us that rabies contracted after a dog bite has killed an average of 23 people per year for the past ten years, according to figures provided by the OVM.
A few days ago, the Minister of the Interior sent a circular to the governors and governors to call on them to support the efforts and help the actions of the communities to manage this thorny issue.
Because in Dakhla as in other regions of Morocco, the increase in packs of stray dogs is alarming. And the fight against this phenomenon is the responsibility of the municipal councils.
Article 50 of the communal charter provides that “the president of the communal council exercises the powers of the administrative police, through regulatory orders and individual measures, which bring approval, order or prohibition, in the field of hygiene, health of public and peace and the safety of the roads”.
Among the long list of attributions we read: “he takes the necessary measures to prevent the straying of harmful and harmful animals, controls domestic animals and conducts operations to collect and control stray dogs and combat rabies and any other disease that threatens domestic animals, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force”.
So it is the responsibility of each municipality to manage this file by trusting the partners concerned, especially ONSSA, Ministry of the Interior, etc.
Another law related to dogs is law 56-12 related to the prevention and protection of people against the dangers of dogs.
It prohibits the sale of six breeds of dogs dangerous: Staffordshire bull terrier, Pitbull, Mastiff, Boerbull, Tosa and the American Staffordshire bull terrier.