Dog walking ban in Iran expanded
Officials in Iran have expanded the ban on dog walking to more cities in the nation, saying that it is due to public order and concerns over health and safety. The ban, similar to a 2019 police order banning dog walking in Tehran, the capital, has extended to an additional 18 cities. Transporting dogs in vehicles has also been prohibited.
Ever since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, dog ownership has been controversial in Iran. Authorities see the animal as “unclean” and a legacy of cultural influence from the West. But despite its efforts, ownership of dogs continues to climb, especially among the younger generations who view it as a form of rebellion against the government and its strict rules.
The cities that have brought bans over the last few days include Isfahan and Kerman. An official from Ilam, another city which implemented a ban, said “legal action” would be taken against anyone who violated the ban on dog walking. However, enforcement on the ban has been patchy, the BBC says. Many dog owners continue to flout the ban in public throughout the country.
Iran has no national law banning dog ownership but prosecutors regularly issue local restritions which the police enforce. “Dog walking is a threat to public health, peace and comfort,” says Abbas Najafi, prosecutor of the western city of Hamedan.
Owners have often been arrested and their pets confiscated after walking the animals in public. Others have taken to walking them in secluded areas, often at night, or driving them around to avoid detection.
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