A bill coming to the parliament in Iran includes strict restrictions on having pets, including cats and dogs. For residents of the capital, Tehran, walking dogs on the street has already become “courageous”.
“She looks at me with her innocent and beautiful eyes. She wants me to take her out, but I don’t dare. We might get caught.”
Mahsa, a dog owner from Tehran, touches on the detentions and confiscations of pet owners.
‘CRIME’ TAKING DOGS IN PARK
In the Iranian capital, police have declared it a “crime” to walk dogs in the city’s parks.
This ban is explained as a measure to “ensure public safety”.
In parallel, after months of debate, the Iranian parliament is preparing to pass a bill in the same direction: a complete restriction of pet ownership under the name of ‘protection of public rights against animals’ is on the agenda.
PENALTY
According to the newly introduced bill, owning a pet will only be possible with the permission of a special committee. “Importing, selling and buying, transporting and keeping” animals will be subject to fines starting at a minimum of $800. Among the animals in this scope are cats, dogs, turtles and rabbits.
President of the Iranian Veterinary Association, Dr. Payam Mohebi is one of the names who openly oppose the law. “The debate began ten years ago when a group of MPs drafted a law to neuter all dogs and send them to zoos or deserts,” he told the BBC.
Dr. “They’ve changed that a few times over the years, with dog owners even being offered ‘corporal punishment’. But the plan didn’t work,” Mohebi explains.
ICON OF URBAN LIFE IN IRAN
Keeping dogs has always been a part of rural life in Iran. However, animals were an indispensable part of cities in the 20th century.
Iran was one of the first countries in the Middle East to pass animal rights laws. In 1948, the government created the first institutions for animal rights. The Pahlavi Dynasty also had its own dog in the country.
After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the life of Iranians and their dogs changed.
In Islamic parts, animals could be seen as “sin”. In the new Islamic regime, dogs were also seen as a symbol of “Westernization”.
Veterinarian from Tehran, Dr. “There is no clear regulation about owning a dog. The police arbitrarily detain those who walk dogs, or even those who carry them in their cars, which they see as a ‘Westernization symbol’,” says Ashkan Şemirani.
DOG PRISONS
Dr. “They even built a prison for animals. We hear a lot of horrible things from here,” adds Shamirani.
In places where dogs are kept, it is also felt that adequate food and water are not provided.
The economic difficulties in Iran with the sanctions from the West also play a role in this law. Authorities have banned the import of pet foods, as with many products, as a way to protect the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
That’s why prices have soared, especially with pet foods falling on the black market.
BIRTH PLACE OF THE PERIAN CAT
In the new law, not only dogs, but also cats are on the list. Even crocodiles are mentioned.
The Persian cat is among the most famous cat breeds in the world.
An Iranian veterinarian asked, “Can you believe the Persian cat is not safe in its homeland now?” says:
“This law makes no sense. They just want to show their iron fists to the public.”
President of the Iranian Veterinary Association, Dr. Mohebi says the law is “shameful”:
“If it passes parliament, future generations will remember us as the people who outlawed dogs.”