This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/08/iran-has-extended-ban-on-walking-dogs-in-public-reports-say
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Iran extends ban on dog-walking for ‘public order, safety and health’ | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Many cities said to have imposed prohibition in recent days that echoes 2019 police directive in Tehran | Many cities said to have imposed prohibition in recent days that echoes 2019 police directive in Tehran |
| Iranian authorities have expanded a ban on walking dogs in public to many cities nationwide, citing public health, social order and safety concerns, domestic media has reported. | Iranian authorities have expanded a ban on walking dogs in public to many cities nationwide, citing public health, social order and safety concerns, domestic media has reported. |
| The ban – which echoes a 2019 police directive that barred walking dogs in Tehran – was expanded to Ilam city in the west on Sunday, according to reports. | The ban – which echoes a 2019 police directive that barred walking dogs in Tehran – was expanded to Ilam city in the west on Sunday, according to reports. |
| At least 17 other cities have introduced similar bans in recent days, including Isfahan in the centre and Kerman in the south. | At least 17 other cities have introduced similar bans in recent days, including Isfahan in the centre and Kerman in the south. |
| Owning and walking dogs has been a contentious subject since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, though there is no law banning dog ownership outright. | Owning and walking dogs has been a contentious subject since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, though there is no law banning dog ownership outright. |
| Many religious scholars, however, consider petting dogs or coming into contact with their saliva as “najis” or ritually impure, while some officials view them as a symbol of western cultural influence. | Many religious scholars, however, consider petting dogs or coming into contact with their saliva as “najis” or ritually impure, while some officials view them as a symbol of western cultural influence. |
| Local authorities have periodically introduced bans on walking dogs in public spaces or carrying them in vehicles as part of a wider campaign to discourage their ownership. | Local authorities have periodically introduced bans on walking dogs in public spaces or carrying them in vehicles as part of a wider campaign to discourage their ownership. |
| Enforcing the restrictions has been inconsistent, as many owners continue to walk their dogs in Tehran and elsewhere across Iran. | Enforcing the restrictions has been inconsistent, as many owners continue to walk their dogs in Tehran and elsewhere across Iran. |
| On Sunday, the reformist Etemad newspaper quoted an official from Ilam city as saying that “legal action will be taken against violators”, without elaborating. | On Sunday, the reformist Etemad newspaper quoted an official from Ilam city as saying that “legal action will be taken against violators”, without elaborating. |
| On Saturday, the state newspaper Iran said the latest measures were aimed at “maintaining public order, ensuring safety and protecting public health”. | On Saturday, the state newspaper Iran said the latest measures were aimed at “maintaining public order, ensuring safety and protecting public health”. |
| “Dog walking is a threat to public health, peace and comfort,” said Abbas Najafi, the prosecutor of the western city of Hamedan, as quoted by the Iran newspaper. | “Dog walking is a threat to public health, peace and comfort,” said Abbas Najafi, the prosecutor of the western city of Hamedan, as quoted by the Iran newspaper. |
| In 2021, 75 lawmakers condemned pet ownership as a “destructive social problem”, saying it could “gradually change the Iranian and Islamic way of life”. | In 2021, 75 lawmakers condemned pet ownership as a “destructive social problem”, saying it could “gradually change the Iranian and Islamic way of life”. |
| In 2017, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said “keeping dogs for reasons other than herding, hunting and guard dogs is considered reprehensible”. | In 2017, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said “keeping dogs for reasons other than herding, hunting and guard dogs is considered reprehensible”. |
| “If this practice resembles that of non-Muslims, promotes their culture or causes harm and disturbance to neighbours, it is deemed forbidden,” he added, according to Tasnim news agency. | “If this practice resembles that of non-Muslims, promotes their culture or causes harm and disturbance to neighbours, it is deemed forbidden,” he added, according to Tasnim news agency. |