Iran Expands Dog Walking Ban

Iranian officials have expanded a ban on dog walking to at least 18 cities, including Isfahan, Kerman, and Ilam, citing public order, health, and safety concerns. This move echoes a 2019 police order in Tehran and also outlaws transporting dogs in vehicles. Dog ownership has been viewed as 'unclean' and a symbol of Western cultural influence since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with Ali Khamenei previously describing it as 'reprehensible.' Despite these efforts, dog ownership is rising, particularly among young people, who see it as a form of rebellion against the restrictive regime. Local prosecutors, like Abbas Najafi of Hamedan, are enforcing these restrictions, with violators facing legal action, arrests, and confiscation of pets. The Iran — Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance also banned pet-related advertisements in 2010. Critics argue that police should focus on violent crime rather than restricting personal freedoms.