Iran has dramatically expanded its controversial ban on dog walking to at least 18 cities this week, marking the latest escalation in the government’s longstanding campaign against pet ownership. The new restrictions prohibit not only walking dogs in public but also transporting them in vehicles, with violators facing potential legal action.
this crackdown reflects deep cultural tensions in Iranian society. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, religious authorities have deemed dogs “unclean” and associated them with Western influence. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called dog ownership “reprehensible,” while lawmakers have labeled it a threat to Islamic values.
Yet despite decades of official disapproval, pet ownership – particularly among young urban Iranians – has become an unexpected form of quiet rebellion. Many views caring for dogs as both a personal freedom and a subtle challenge to theocratic restrictions.
The enforcement of these bans has been inconsistent. While police in cities like IIam and Hamedan warn of consequences, dog owners in Tehran and elsewhere continue walking their pets, often under cover of darkness or in secluded areas. Critics argue the government should prioritize addressing violent crime rather than targeting pet owners.
This cultural battle extends beyond dogs. Like defying hijab laws and attending underground parties, pet ownership has joined the catalog of personal choices that carry political weight in Iran. As the regime tightens restrictions, the growing popularity of dogs suggests many Iranians are willing to risk consequences to maintain this small measure of independence in their daily lives.
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