A tiny disabled puppy who was being shooed into the road by a heartless thug is set to have a new happy fresh start in the UK.
In a heart-wrenching and courageous rescue, the puppy named Mickey was saved from the clutches of cruelty in Marrakesh.
Mickey, who is unable to use his back legs, was spotted in a shocking scene in Morocco this week when a man was seen shooing him into the path of oncoming traffic, something which chillingly is perfectly legal in the country.
The vicious act was interrupted when a group of quick-thinking members of the public noticed Mickey’s plight and immediately called the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC) for help having seen their campaign in the media.
With support from the IAWPC, the tourists were able to pull Mickey from danger and transport him to a shelter. There, he’s receiving vital care while preparations are underway to send him to loving London adopters nurse Kitty Ormerod, 29 and her partner Mick Ormerod, 35 (pictured) who works in quality assurance.
Miraculously Mickey has now regained some feeling in his back legs and is able to walk, with a vet saying that it looks like the tiny dogs was beaten with a blunt object which had caused nerve damage.
Tragically, Mickey is just one of the millions of dogs facing cruelty and slaughter in Morocco, as the government intensifies efforts to rid the streets of stray animals ahead of the World Cup.
With an estimated 3 million street dogs set to be killed, the IAWPC has documented more than 1,000 pieces of horrific footage of the public slaughter of these innocent animals, often left to die in full view, with no regard for their suffering. In some cases, the bodies are even abandoned in front of shocked children and passers-by.
“Mickey’s rescue is a small glimmer of hope in an otherwise tragic situation,” said Les Ward, chairman of the IAWPC. “His story highlights the urgency of the crisis facing Morocco’s street dogs and we are so pleased that the tourists who spotted his plight knew to contact us, it shows our campaign is gaining momentum.
“With his back legs paralysed, Mickey’s life was already incredibly challenging before he was thrown into this heartless situation. We are so pleased that he is getting on his feet again and is going to get the happy life that all dogs deserve. He’s one of the lucky ones. Many more won’t make it.”
“The scale of this operation is nothing short of a massacre,” Les added. “These animals are being treated with utter cruelty. It’s vital that FIFA and the global community step in to demand an end to this senseless slaughter.”
The IAWPC is calling for FIFA to step in and pressure Morocco to stop the killing and for the country to strengthen and enforce its animal welfare and protection laws.
Campaigners say that trap, neuter, vaccinate release schemes (TNVR) will be far more effective than the brutal public scenes which greet Moroccan people each day, and are also calling for the implementation of a humane education program to help change hearts and minds.
Celebrities and animal advocates, including legendary conservationists Jane Goodall and Chris Packham, as well as music icon Gary Numan, have thrown their weight behind the IAWPC’s campaign. They join forces with major animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, and PETA, all urging FIFA to intervene before even more innocent lives are lost.
Despite the growing outcry, FIFA has refused to comment on the issue, with the IAWPC reporting that their requests for action have gone unanswered. The coalition continues to fight for the safety and well-being of Morocco’s street dogs, calling on FIFA to take responsibility and demand that the killing stops now.
As Mickey waits for his new life in the UK, the fate of countless other dogs remains uncertain. The world watches and hopes that these senseless killings will come to an end before it’s too late.
To find out more about the work of the IAWPC go to www.iawpc.org
