In a sweeping move, Iranian officials have broadened a ban on dog walking to numerous cities across the nation, citing reasons of public order and health safety. This extension follows a similar order from 2019 that initially prohibited dog walking in the capital city of Tehran and now affects at least 18 additional cities within the last week. Alongside this, transporting dogs in vehicles has also been declared illegal.
**Iran Expands Dog Walking Ban Across Major Cities**
**Iran Expands Dog Walking Ban Across Major Cities**
Iranian authorities broaden restrictions on dog ownership, citing health and public order concerns. The crackdown reflects cultural tensions amid rising pet ownership as a form of rebellion.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, dog ownership has faced disapproval in Iran, with government officials labeling dogs as "unclean" and associating them with Western cultural influence. Despite attempts to deter pet ownership, its popularity continues to rise, particularly among the country's youth, who view it as an act of defiance against the restrictive regime. Recent reports indicate that cities like Isfahan and Kerman have joined in implementing bans amid this growing trend.
An official spokesperson from the city of Ilam stated that "legal action" would be taken against individuals defying these new regulations, as reported by local media. However, the enforcement of such bans has historically been inconsistent, as many dog owners still walk their pets in public spaces, particularly in urban centers like Tehran.
Although there is no overarching national law banning dog ownership, local authorities frequently impose restrictions enforced through police action. Abbas Najafi, the prosecutor in Hamedan, remarked that dog walking endangers public health and tranquility. Several dog owners have faced arrest, and their dogs have been confiscated.
The cultural landscape in Iran presents unique challenges, as pet ownership has been branded as un-Islamic by many politicians and religious scholars, who argue that contact with dogs or their saliva is considered "najis" or ritually impure. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously condemned dog ownership outside of specific roles, such as herding or security, deeming it "reprehensible." In an earlier legislative session in 2021, 75 lawmakers criticized pet ownership as a detrimental societal issue that could disrupt traditional Iranian and Islamic ways of life.
Warnings against pet ownership extend to advertisements as well; the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance banned all promotions for pets or related products in 2010. An attempt for stringent penalties against dog walkers was introduced in parliament in 2014 but failed to pass.
In light of the recent intensification of restrictions, critics argue that the authorities should prioritize addressing public safety, particularly in light of increasing violent crime rates, rather than targeting dog owners and further curtailing individual freedoms. Alongside defying hijab laws and attending underground gatherings, pet ownership has emerged as a silent form of resistance against Iran's theocratic regime.
An official spokesperson from the city of Ilam stated that "legal action" would be taken against individuals defying these new regulations, as reported by local media. However, the enforcement of such bans has historically been inconsistent, as many dog owners still walk their pets in public spaces, particularly in urban centers like Tehran.
Although there is no overarching national law banning dog ownership, local authorities frequently impose restrictions enforced through police action. Abbas Najafi, the prosecutor in Hamedan, remarked that dog walking endangers public health and tranquility. Several dog owners have faced arrest, and their dogs have been confiscated.
The cultural landscape in Iran presents unique challenges, as pet ownership has been branded as un-Islamic by many politicians and religious scholars, who argue that contact with dogs or their saliva is considered "najis" or ritually impure. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously condemned dog ownership outside of specific roles, such as herding or security, deeming it "reprehensible." In an earlier legislative session in 2021, 75 lawmakers criticized pet ownership as a detrimental societal issue that could disrupt traditional Iranian and Islamic ways of life.
Warnings against pet ownership extend to advertisements as well; the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance banned all promotions for pets or related products in 2010. An attempt for stringent penalties against dog walkers was introduced in parliament in 2014 but failed to pass.
In light of the recent intensification of restrictions, critics argue that the authorities should prioritize addressing public safety, particularly in light of increasing violent crime rates, rather than targeting dog owners and further curtailing individual freedoms. Alongside defying hijab laws and attending underground gatherings, pet ownership has emerged as a silent form of resistance against Iran's theocratic regime.
