Expanding Dog Walking Ban in Iran Draws Public Backlash**

A new crackdown on dog ownership in Iran expands a ban to several cities, sparking protests and highlighting the public's defiance against restrictive laws.**

Iranian authorities have broadened their recent dog walking ban, applying new restrictions to more than 18 cities in the past week. This extension comes in the wake of a controversial 2019 order that prohibited dog walking in Tehran, citing issues of public order and health as primary justifications. The latest measures also include a ban on transporting dogs in vehicles, amplifying the stifling restrictions faced by dog owners across the nation.

The societal stigma surrounding dog ownership in Iran dates back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, in which dogs were labeled "unclean" by officials, representing a Western cultural influence. Nonetheless, amid this hostility, dog ownership continues to rise, especially among the youth, who often view the companionship as an act of rebellion against the oppressive regime.

Cities such as Isfahan and Kerman have swiftly implemented these new bans, reflecting a growing trend across Iran. Local media quotes Abbas Najafi, the prosecutor of Hamedan, stating that “legal action” will follow against violators of the ban. Despite these new restrictions, enforcement in the past has fluctuated, leading many dog owners to walk their pets in secluded regions or drive them in vehicles to avoid detection.

Dog ownership remains a divisive issue in Iran, as there is no comprehensive national law outright banning it; enforcement largely falls to local measures directed by police. However, many public figures argue that the focus of law enforcement should shift towards increasing violent crime rather than targeting pet owners and infringing upon personal freedoms.

The crackdown has spurred discourse, with critics insisting police resources are better allocated toward pressing public safety issues, rather than the persecution of pet owners. Amid an ongoing cultural battle in Iran against mandatory hijab laws and nightlife restrictions, dog ownership has become a symbol of resistance, embodying the complex relationship between personal liberty and governmental control in contemporary Iranian society.