Iran Expands Dog-Walking Restrictions Amidst Cultural Tensions

The Iranian regime has broadened its crackdown on dog ownership by extending bans on dog walking to over 18 cities. Citing public health and safety, officials have also prohibited transporting dogs in vehicles. Despite these restrictions, dog ownership remains popular, particularly among youth, as a form of resistance against governmental control.

Iranian authorities have intensified their campaign against dog ownership, extending previously established prohibitions on dog walking beyond the capital city of Tehran. This latest move has resulted in an official ban across at least 18 additional cities, including notable urban centers like Isfahan and Kerman. The regulations stem from a police order first instituted in 2019, which classified public dog walking as a threat to public order and health.

In addition to walking bans, the recent crackdown prohibits transportation of dogs in vehicles, highlighting a growing concern among officials regarding pet ownership. The sentiment against dogs in Iran roots from the Islamic Revolution of 1979, where dogs are often perceived as "unclean" and a remnant of Western influence. Despite governmental efforts to discourage pet ownership, the trend has seen a rise, especially among younger generations who view dog ownership as a subtle act of defiance against the regime.

Local authorities are taking a firm stance; for example, an official in the city of Ilam announced that violators of the dog-walking bans could face “legal action.” These bans are enforced by police, although past enforcement efforts have been inconsistent. Many dog owners have begun walking their pets in secluded areas or relying on vehicles to evade detection by authorities, reflecting an ongoing tension between state regulations and individual freedoms.

In Iran, there are currently no national laws outright banning dog ownership, but local prosecutors frequently impose restrictions that are often enforced by law enforcement. The narrative against dogs is underscored by official statements, such as that from Abbas Najafi, a prosecutor in Hamedan, who described dog walking as disruptive to public health and comfort.

The political and religious undercurrents are stark, as religious officials consider pet ownership, particularly dogs, as un-Islamic. To further emphasize this stance, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has previously condemned dog ownership not linked to utility functions like herding or hunting. There remains an underlying cultural divide, reflected in the 2021 denunciation of dog ownership by 75 lawmakers who labeled it a social threat to Iranian identity and Islamic values.

With these developments, critics argue that law enforcement should prioritize addressing increasing violent crime rates instead of targeting pet owners. In a society where dog ownership, along with other forms of personal expression, signifies rebellion against strict regulations – such as mandatory hijab laws and restrictions on gatherings – this renewed crackdown could provoke further tensions amid an already strained sense of individual liberties in Iran.