Authorities in two Iranian provinces have banned dog walking in public, escalating a wider crackdown on pet ownership across the country.
On Tuesday, Abbas Najafi, the prosecutor of Hamadan Province, announced that walking dogs in urban areas, parks, and public spaces is now prohibited. The ban also applies to transporting dogs in private vehicles.
Police have been ordered to seize any vehicles carrying dogs. Najafi described dog walking as a “violation of public rights” and said it disturbs “citizens’ comfort and peace.” He warned that individuals found with dogs in public will face legal action.
Najafi claimed that dog walking goes against “religious and social values” and presents “a threat to public health.”
At the same time, the prosecutor’s office in Urmia issued similar orders for West Azerbaijan Province. The new rules ban dogs from being present in parks, on sidewalks, in public places, and in cars. Offenders will be prosecuted, officials said.
Traffic police and other law enforcement agencies have been told to confiscate vehicles transporting dogs and to shut down unlicensed veterinary clinics. Cyber police are also targeting websites and online groups that arrange pet adoptions.
Municipal authorities in Urmia have been instructed to put up signs in public areas to inform people about the ban.
Judicial officials say the new rules respond to public concerns. However, many Iranians see the ban as a violation of pet owners’ rights. Critics say these policies are part of a growing effort by the government to control personal freedoms.
Similar bans have recently been introduced in Tehran, Isfahan, Qazvin, and other cities. These moves reflect an expanding judicial push against pet ownership in urban areas.
While owning dogs and cats has become more common in major Iranian cities, officials in the Islamic Republic continue to impose harsh restrictions. They say the measures are meant to protect Islamic values and preserve public order. But many believe the real goal is to limit lifestyle choices that don’t align with state ideology.