The tragic death of a young man in Tangier following an attack by his dog has sparked widespread controversy. The incident triggered a wave of calls on social media to kill dogs, prompting backlash from animal rights advocates. They urged the public to avoid emotional reactions and instead focus on prevention and accountability. DR ‹ › A 30-year-old man died on Saturday in Tangier's El Espaniol neighborhood after being attacked by his Pit Bull in a tragic incident that sparked widespread reactions on social media, including calls from some users to cull dogs. According to his relatives, the victim, identified as Anouar, left his home that morning to buy bread with his dog before heading to a nearby garage owned by a friend, where several dogs were kept and where he was responsible for feeding them. While there, and during a phone call with his fiancée, he reportedly felt dizzy, lost his balance, and fell, hitting his head. His dog then attacked him, while the other dogs did not, his family said. Calls for calm and «rational solutions« Reacting to the incident, the Moroccan Animal Protection Association described it as a «serious human tragedy», stressing the need to handle it «with respect and restraint» and noting that «only an official investigation can determine the exact circumstances». Citing the family's account, the association said the victim may have suffered a seizure that caused his fall and involuntary movements, which could have prompted the dog «to react instinctively to an unfamiliar or stressful situation». It added that «there is currently no evidence of a group attack or generalized aggressive behavior», emphasizing that conclusions should await the official findings. The association firmly rejected calls to kill the dogs involved, urging authorities to act responsibly. It said euthanasia «cannot be an acceptable solution», pointing instead to alternatives such as behavioral assessments, appropriate care, and respect for animal welfare. «Killing dogs solves nothing; it only worsens the situation», the association said. «Responses driven by emotion do not address the problem but exacerbate it, shifting violence without tackling its root causes, namely the lack of prevention, regulation, and accountability». It also called on the public to remain calm, noting that while emotional reactions are natural, they should not lead to «unfair or ineffective decisions». Public safety, it added, must be ensured through «rational, sustainable solutions based on facts». Focus on responsibility and legal gaps The association stressed that many such incidents can be prevented through better awareness, understanding of animal behavior, and responsible ownership, adding that «each case is unique and must be assessed carefully». It underlined that responsibility should be determined on a case-by-case basis, often falling on owners and their compliance with safety rules, while «animals ultimately bear the harshest consequences». The group also pointed to gaps in Morocco's legal framework, citing the lack of a modern, coherent, and effectively enforced system for animal protection and management. It highlighted issues such as the absence of mandatory dog identification, weak oversight of animal-keeping conditions, and a limited culture of responsibility among some owners. To address these shortcomings, the association called for comprehensive legal reform, including mandatory identification, clearer owner accountability, improved sterilization and vaccination programs, regulation of animal ownership conditions, and broader awareness campaigns. It concluded that the incident reflects «not a dog crisis, but a crisis of responsibility».
