Iran Reaffirmed Dog Walking Ban Amid Growing Enforcement

Following years of lax enforcement since the introduction of a dog walking ban in 2019, Iranian authorities in at least 20 cities are now escalating efforts to impose strict penalties on violators, viewing the practice as both impure and a Western influence.

In recent developments, officials in Iran have pledged to intensify enforcement of a dog walking ban initially established in 2019, which has largely gone overlooked for years. This renewed commitment comes from prosecutors in at least 20 cities who cite potential public health risks and safety concerns surrounding the presence of dogs in public spaces. Mohammad Hossein Doroudi, Mashhad's prosecutor, reinforced this position stating, “Dog walking is a clear crime.”

The long-standing apprehension toward dogs in Iranian society can be traced back to religious beliefs, particularly within Islam, wherein dogs are designated as “najes,” or impure. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, issued a fatwa that emphasized the impurity associated with dogs, suggesting that their saliva or hair could render various items, including clothing and living spaces, impure—a state deemed incompatible with prayer.

With the recent announcement from authorities, those caught walking their dogs will first receive warnings, but repeated offenses could result in fines or confiscation of the pets. This marked shift in enforcement highlights the Iranian government's viewpoint that pet ownership, particularly of dogs, symbolizes an undesirable western cultural influence, prompting a stricter stance on the issue.