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More Than 20 Iranian Cities Now Ban Walking Dogs in Public Places, with Increased Repression and New Sanctions for Owners
The Iranian authorities have expanded the ban on walking dogs in public spaces. The new rule affects at least 20 cities in the country. The official justification is to protect public health and safety. The practice had already been banned in Tehran since 2019, but enforcement was considered inefficient.
Now, the crackdown has intensified. In addition to walking on foot, transporting dogs in vehicles is also prohibited. In Hamedan, prosecutor Abbas Najafi stated that any type of walk constitutes an attack on “peace and comfort.” Meanwhile, in Mashhad, prosecutor Mohammad Doroudi labeled the practice as a “clear crime.”
In Ilam, authorities promised to adopt “legal measures” against those who violate the new rules. Other cities such as Isfahan and Kerman have also joined the ban. Nevertheless, owners continue to take their dogs for walks, especially in the capital.
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According to the UOL portal, there is no federal law that prohibits dog ownership in Iran. However, local regulations have police backing and have already led to arrests and seizures of animals.
Since 2019, when the ban began in Tehran, several owners have been punished. To avoid enforcement, some have begun to walk their dogs only at night, in remote areas, or take walks inside their cars.
The Repression Is Not New
The restriction on pet dogs in Iran is not recent. Since 2010, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has prohibited advertisements for pet products.
In 2014, the parliament discussed a bill that proposed fines and even flogging for those caught walking dogs. However, the proposal was not approved.
Veterinarians and animal rights advocates criticize the measure. They point out that the government should prioritize fighting crime, which is on the rise in the country.
The BBC noted that having dogs as pets is viewed by authorities as a sign of Western influence. According to the New York Times, the resistance also has a religious origin. In Islam, dogs are considered impure.
The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has declared that the saliva and fur of dogs make people and objects impure.
Raising dogs for hunting, guarding, or herding is accepted. But having them as domestic companions is harshly criticized. In 2021, lawmakers referred to pet ownership as a “destructive social problem.”
With information from Aventuras na História.
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