Iran is raising the stakes on its controversial ban on dog walking, a measure that had largely been ignored since its introduction in 2019. Over the last few days, officials from at least 20 cities have reiterated their commitment to enforce this ban, emphasizing potential risks to public health and safety.
Public prosecutor Mohammad Hossein Doroudi from Mashhad has been vocal about the renewed crackdown. He described dog walking as “a clear crime,” signaling a shift in the handling of the law, which also prohibits driving with dogs. This change has raised eyebrows among the pet-owning community, who had largely dismissed the enforcement efforts over recent years.
The underlying motivations for this ban are complex, rooted in political and religious sentiments. In Iran, dogs have often been viewed through a Western lens, associated with foreign cultural influences. Many conservative factions within the country oppose the presence of dogs due to Islamic beliefs, often labeling them as “najes” or impure. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the nation’s supreme leader, has previously issued a fatwa indicating that the presence of dogs makes prayer invalid due to their supposed uncleanliness.
As enforcement measures ramp up, officials have outlined a process for violations in Mashhad: initially, offenders will receive warnings, but subsequent infractions could result in fines or the confiscation of pets. This stringent approach signifies a more stringent control over public spaces and the presence of pets in the public domain, reflecting broader cultural tensions regarding modernity and tradition in Iran.
