Iran's Isfahan bans dogs in parks, cars and streets in new clampdown

Mohammad Mousavian, Isfahan’s public and revolutionary prosecutor, announced the sweeping ban on Saturday, saying: “Dog walking is a violation of public rights and a threat to the health, comfort, and peace of citizens.”

“Any form of dog walking in the city — whether in parks, public spaces, or vehicles — is prohibited and will be dealt with seriously.”

Mousavian ordered law enforcement to impound vehicles carrying dogs and to shut down shops and unauthorized veterinary clinics related to pet care.

“This is in response to serious public demands,” he said, directing the police and cybercrime units to take down social media accounts advertising the sale of dogs and prosecute their owners.

The crackdown reflects a broader trend across Iran, where the clerical establishment has increasingly targeted dog ownership as a sign of Western influence.

While keeping working dogs in rural areas has long been accepted, urban pet ownership is a more recent phenomenon.

Parliamentarians previously proposed a bill to ban the sale and ownership of dogs as pets, citing public health — a move that included possible jail time and hefty fines. Though the bill was never passed, enforcement has continued through municipal orders and police action.

Pet owners in Tehran have reported fines, harassment, and even eviction threats. The Islamic Republic has no clear regulations governing dog ownership, which leaves citizens vulnerable to arbitrary enforcement and ongoing legal uncertainty.

The Islamic Penal Code, particularly Article 688, reinforces this prohibition by penalizing actions deemed threatening to public health, citing potential health risks associated with the possession of dogs. Violations may result in legal consequences, as neighbors have the ability to file complaints against such practices.