Iran extends ban on dog-walking for ‘public order, safety and health’
GuardianJUN 6
Iran Expands Dog-Walking Ban to Over 20 Cities Nationwide
Above: A woman walks her dog in a park in Tehran on May 19, 2024. Image copyright: Atta Kenare/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Iran narrative
Iran is simply trying to preserve its Islamic identity in the face of an overwhelming Western effort to change its values and mores. Iran has every right to ensure that its culture and religion are respected at home, reflecting the beliefs of the populace writ large. Arrogant Westerners should not assume that Iran wants or needs to have the same pets as they do.
Anti-Iran narrative
This crackdown represents government overreach that prioritizes moral policing over real public safety concerns. With over 2 million stray dogs already roaming the country and rising violent crime rates, authorities should focus resources on genuine threats rather than restricting personal freedoms. The ban infringes on citizens' rights and ignores the reality that pet ownership has become deeply embedded in Iranian family culture.