In the wake of rising dog ownership and significant public backlash, Iranian officials have broadened a dog-walking ban to cover 18 additional cities, echoing sentiments of declining freedoms and increasing government control over personal lives.
Iran Intensifies Restrictions on Dog Ownership Amid Cultural Backlash
Iran Intensifies Restrictions on Dog Ownership Amid Cultural Backlash
A recent expansion of dog-walking bans in Iran reflects deep-seated cultural tensions and growing resistance against the regime's restrictive measures.
Iranian authorities have widened their crackdown on dog ownership by extending a ban on walking dogs to 18 new cities, citing concerns over public order and health. This follows a similar prohibition established in Tehran back in 2019. Alongside walking restrictions, the transporting of dogs in vehicles has also been outlawed, as officials continue to express disapproval of the practice.
The negative perception of dog ownership in Iran has been rooted in the cultural shifts initiated by the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which labeled dogs as "unclean" and emblematic of Western influences. Despite this, a trend of increasing dog ownership is emerging, particularly among younger Iranians who see it as an act of defiance against the regime's strict social codes.
Cities like Isfahan and Kerman have recently adopted these bans, while officials in Ilam have stated that violators of the law will face "legal action." Past attempts to enforce similar restrictions have seen mixed results, with many dog owners unwilling to relinquish their pets, often opting to walk them in more discreet locations or even driving with them to avoid detection.
Many Islamic officials perceive dog ownership as contrary to Islamic principles. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has publicly condemned pet ownership for anything beyond practical uses like herding or security. In 2021, a group of lawmakers dubbed dog ownership a "destructive social problem" with potential to alter the Iranian way of life.
Cultural tensions are palpable as some argue that authorities should redirect their focus toward pressing issues such as rising crime rates instead of regulating dog ownership. Along with defiance against dog restrictions, behaviors like rejecting mandatory hijab laws and attending underground gatherings have emerged as subtle forms of rebellion against Iran's theocratic rule.
