In Iran, police have banned walking dogs in parks. "Citizens are not allowed to bring dogs into parks and green spaces," Tehran's police chief Hussein Rahimi told the Shargh daily.
The authorities justify the step by creating more security in parks. Iranian animal rights activists consider the measures excessive. However, it was unclear whether the ban would actually be enforced by the authorities.
Pets are frowned upon by some sections of society in Shia Iran, particularly the strictly religious. Dogs are also considered unclean in Islam. Nevertheless, the pet trend has increased in recent years, especially in the wake of the corona pandemic. Accordingly, there have been more and more veterinary clinics and pet shops in recent years.
