Iran’s dog walking ban has recently expanded, increasing restrictions on walking dogs in public places across multiple cities. This growing crackdown has sparked heated debates about safety, cultural values, and public health. Rooted in long-standing social and religious attitudes on dog ownership, these rules deeply impact Iranian public life, despite official claims they aim to protect society’s welfare.
Beyond dogs, this ban highlights broader conflicts between tradition and modernity, raising important questions about human rights and social authority.
Dog-Walking Ban Spreads Across Cities
Authorities have expanded the ban on walking dogs in public spaces beyond Tehran, where it was first imposed in 2019, to cover at least 20 to 25 cities across Iran. This includes cities such as Ilam in the west, as well as Isfahan and Kerman, among others. Officials justify this widespread crackdown by citing concerns over public health risks, maintaining social order, and ensuring overall safety in communities.
Abbas Najafi, the prosecutor of the western city of Hamedan, emphasized the government’s position by stating, “Dog walking is a threat to public health, peace, and comfort.” The authorities have warned that legal penalties may be imposed on anyone who violates the ban, highlighting the seriousness and strict enforcement of this policy.
Religious and Cultural Underpinnings of the Ban
Iran’s dog walking ban reflects a long-standing controversy over dog ownership in Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Religious guidance strongly opposes to owning dogs, with the exception of herding, hunting, and guarding, even though there is no national legislation that prohibits dog ownership.
In 2017, Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, stressed that people must not own dogs for non-Muslim purposes if it reflects and mimics non-Muslim traditions or causes harm to neighbors. This religious perspective influences government policy and shapes popular perceptions of dogs and their place in Iranian society.
