Officials in at least 20 cities in Iran have recently committed to enforcing a ban on dog walking, originally introduced in 2019, citing public health and safety risks. Prosecutors have described dog walking as a "clear crime," with heightened enforcement measures being announced across various regions.
The renewed crackdown follows years of lax enforcement of the ban, which also prohibits driving with dogs. Mohammad Hossein Doroudi, the prosecutor in Mashhad, stated that dog walking poses a threat to health and is categorized as criminal behavior under the guise of harassment of women and children.
The Iranian government has historically viewed pet dogs as symbols of Western cultural influence, and opposition to dogs is often rooted in religious beliefs, with dogs considered "najes," or impure, in Islam. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, has issued a fatwa explaining that a dog's saliva or hair can render people and surfaces impure, declaring that "prayer is invalid with the presence of dog hair."
Despite the government's stance, some veterinarians and pet surgeons express skepticism regarding the enforcement of the ban. Dr. Damoon Ansari, a Tehran-based veterinarian, noted that while regulations on citizens' lifestyles emerge annually, the popularity of pet ownership has surged, with many veterinary clinics opening across the country.
Dr. Ansari emphasized that pets, including dogs, have become integral to Iranian family culture, and despite governmental restrictions, the presence of millions of pets in Iran cannot be eliminated. He remarked that officials are attempting to limit dogs' visibility in public spaces.
In Mashhad, violators of the ban will initially receive warnings, but may face fines or confiscation of their dogs if they do not comply. Similar sentiments have been echoed by prosecutors in other cities, including Isfahan and Hamedan, where dog walking is deemed contrary to religious and social values.
In Tehran, however, dog owners appear undeterred by the enforcement efforts, as evidenced by the increasing number of veterinary clinics in the city. Dr. Ansari noted that citizens are accustomed to such regulations and typically maintain a low profile until enforcement eases, suggesting that the trend of pet ownership continues to grow despite restrictions.
This ongoing situation reflects a complex interplay between cultural attitudes, religious beliefs, and the realities of pet ownership in Iran.