Authorities in Iran have widened a ban on dog walking to include more than a dozen cities, justifying the move with claims related to public health and maintaining social order.
This latest measure builds on a 2019 directive that prohibited dog walking in Tehran. In recent days, the restriction has reportedly spread to at least 18 additional cities, including major urban centers like Isfahan and Kerman. Alongside walking bans, transporting dogs in cars has also been prohibited.
Dog ownership has faced institutional disapproval since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with religious leaders and officials labeling dogs as impure and symbols of Western cultural influence. Despite this stance, owning dogs—especially among younger Iranians—has quietly become more popular and is often seen as an act of subtle defiance against the regime.
In the western city of Ilam, local media reports that authorities introduced the ban over the weekend. One official reportedly warned that legal action would be taken against anyone caught violating the rule.
Though similar restrictions have been imposed in the past, enforcement has been inconsistent. In cities like Tehran, many dog owners continue to walk their pets openly or in more discreet ways—such as during nighttime walks or by keeping them in vehicles.
There is currently no national law explicitly banning the ownership of dogs. However, prosecutors often implement local ordinances, and police are authorized to enforce them. Some owners have been detained and their dogs seized as a result of public walks.
Many religious authorities in Iran regard dogs as “najis”—ritually impure—particularly emphasizing the impurity of their saliva. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously denounced dog ownership for non-functional purposes such as companionship, describing it as inappropriate.
In 2021, a group of 75 lawmakers denounced the growing trend of pet ownership, arguing that it posed a threat to Iranian values and could slowly undermine the country’s cultural and religious identity.
Pet-related media and advertising have also faced restrictions. In 2010, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance banned promotions related to pets and pet supplies. A 2014 parliamentary initiative aimed to impose harsh penalties, including fines and corporal punishment, on those who walked dogs in public—though the bill ultimately failed to pass.
In response to the recent escalation, critics have voiced frustration, arguing that law enforcement should focus on rising violent crime and broader public safety issues rather than targeting pet owners. They see the crackdown as part of a broader pattern of suppressing personal freedoms.
For many Iranians, owning a dog joins a list of quiet acts of rebellion—alongside ignoring strict hijab rules, attending underground gatherings, or consuming alcohol—that signal resistance to the country’s theocratic control.
ALSO READ :Â Sikandar Raza Files Racism Complaint Against Local Cricket Coach
