A Moroccan social media influencer has been arrested after a controversial video showing him cooking and eating a dog sparked widespread condemnation from animal welfare groups, religious figures and members of the public.
Ayoub Ben Nesnes, 26, was detained in the northern town of Martil following an investigation into a video that attracted hundreds of thousands of views online before being removed.
The YouTuber, who has more than two million followers across social media platforms, reportedly claimed the video was intended as a protest against the rising cost of livestock during the Eid festival.
Authorities said a warrant had been issued for his arrest by police in Temara, near Rabat. He is now facing charges that reportedly include animal cruelty and insulting Islam, according to local media reports.
Prosecutors have ordered that Ben Nesnes remain in custody at El Arjat Prison while legal proceedings continue.
The video generated intense backlash after it appeared to show the influencer presenting a dog as an alternative sacrifice before cooking and consuming the meat. Critics accused him of crossing ethical, cultural and religious boundaries in pursuit of online attention.
Ben Nesnes later released a separate video denying that he had killed the animal. He claimed the dog had already died after being involved in a road accident and insisted he was not responsible for its death.
Despite the explanation, several animal welfare organisations lodged formal complaints, arguing that the footage promoted cruelty towards animals and encouraged unacceptable behaviour.
Animal rights advocates also criticised the content for normalising the consumption of dog meat, while religious leaders said the video was offensive to many Muslims and inconsistent with Islamic teachings.
The controversy has once again placed Ben Nesnes in the spotlight. The influencer has previously attracted attention for posting videos of himself eating unusual meats, including snake and crocodile.
He also generated headlines in the past after sharing footage of himself visiting the Spanish-controlled Chafarinas Islands, an area that remains politically sensitive and heavily monitored.
The case has reignited debate in Morocco over the responsibilities of social media influencers and the limits of online content creation, particularly when videos involve animals, cultural sensitivities or public outrage.
Authorities have not announced a trial date, and investigations into the matter are ongoing.
