Iranian Man Walking Dog (Reuters)
The Iranian Government has proposed a new law that would make it illegal to have a dog in public places as well as private apartments and in cars on the road. While traditionally Muslims believe that most dogs are unclean in recent years dogs have begun appearing among the influential and upscale neighborhoods to the chagrin of the Iranian Religious Leaders and members of the Government. People have been importing and owning dogs as a way to dissent against the government to say we do acknoledge Western Values and culture. Omid Memarian, a prominent Iranian journalist specializing in human rights said "This is very frightening for Iranian officials, who find themselves in a cultural war with the West and see what they're offering as an 'Islamic lifestyle' failing measurably."
Crackdowns on dogs have been happening randomly for years. People seen on the street walking their dog could have them confiscated and the dog sent to a detention facility. It is uncertain what would happen to the dogs and whether after paying a fine the owner would be able to get the dog back. then if they would be released to the owners. The new law would also send the dogs caught to be detained but with thousands of dogs currently living in Tehran alone there is no answer in the proposed law to what would happen to these dogs once confiscated.
Saluki
In rural areas, dogs have traditionally aided shepherds and farmers just like anywhere else in the world. In cities, aristocrats kept dogs for hunting like the Saluki and French-speaking dowagers kept lap dogs for company, but the vast majority of traditional Iranians, following the advice of the clergy, were leery of dogs and considered them best avoided or the last century. But now the population of urban, educated, young adults are making dog ownership popular and has really begun to frustrate the Islamic government. This group of the population are tired of being told what they can and cannot do as more and more Western culture infuses itself into Iran in the form of TV and Movies via satellite the people want more freedom to have and do the things they are seeing on tv which includes owning dogs.
IranianWoman carrying dog (Reuters)
The Dubai-based Al Arabiya reports:If the law passes, dog owners will be banned from taking their pets out into public spaces and into vehicles. First-time offenders will be fined five million riyals (approximately $480); they will be given 10 days to get rid of the dog. If they fail to do so, health authorities will be called in to take the dog away from its owner. It is unclear what would be done to the dog.
For more information visit:
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2065873,00.html
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/04/19/135542467/iranian-lawmakers-propose-ban-on-pet-dogs