Dog Ownership To Be Crimminalised

[Steve]

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/20...d-their-owners/

For much of the past decade, the Iranian government has tolerated what it considers a particularly depraved and un-Islamic vice: the keeping of pet dogs.

During periodic crackdowns, police have confiscated dogs from their owners right off the street; and state media has lectured Iranians on the diseases spread by canines. The cleric Gholamreza Hassani, from the city of Urmia, has been satirized for his sermons railing against "short-legged" and "holdable" dogs. But as with the policing of many other practices (like imbibing alcoholic drinks) that are deemed impure by the mullahs but perfectly fine to many Iranians, the state has eventually relaxed and let dog lovers be.

Those days of tacit acceptance may soon be over, however.

Lawmakers in Tehran have recently proposed a bill in parliament that would criminalize dog ownership, formally enshrining its punishment within the country's Islamic penal code. The bill warns that that in addition to posing public health hazards, the popularity of dog ownership "also poses a cultural problem, a blind imitation of the vulgar culture of the West."

The proposed legislation for the first time outlines specific punishments for "the walking and keeping" of "impure and dangerous animals," a definition that could feasibly include cats but for the time being seems targeted at dogs. The law would see the offending animal confiscated, the leveling of a $100-to-$500 fine on the owner, but leaves the fate of confiscated dogs uncertain. "Considering the several thousand dogs [that are kept] in Tehran alone, the problem arises as to what is going to happen to these animals," Hooman Malekpour, a veterinarian in Tehran, said to the BBC's Persian service. If passed, the law would ultimately energize police and volunteer militias to enforce the ban systematically.

In past years, animal-rights activists in Iran have persuasively argued that sporadic campaigns against dog ownership are politically motivated and unlawful, since the prohibition surfaces in neither the country's civil laws nor its Islamic criminal codes. But if Iran's laws were silent for decades on the question of dogs, that is because the animals — in the capacity of pet — were as irrelevant to daily life as dinosaurs.

Islam, by custom, considers dogs najes, or unclean, and for the past century cultural mores kept dog ownership down to minuscule numbers. In rural areas, dogs have traditionally aided shepherds and farmers, but as Iranians got urbanized in the past century, their dogs did not come along. In cities, aristocrats kept dogs for hunting 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.

That has changed in the past 15 years with the rise of an urban middle class plugged into and eager to mimic Western culture. Satellite television and Western movies opened up a world where happy children frolicked with dogs in parks and affluent families treated them like adorable children. These days, lap dogs rival designer sunglasses as the upper-middle-class Iranian's accessory of choice. "Global norms and values capture the heart of people all around the world, and Iran is no exception," says Omid Memarian, a prominent Iranian journalist specializing in human rights. "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 measurabl

[Kelly_Louise]

I would have thought the growing trend would highlight exactly what the vast majority thought of the imposed 'Islamic lifestyle' offering...

Seems people like freedom and choice... like that offered in most 'vulgar Western' countries.

No wonder they are nervous. With technology, people are seeing different options for themselves and their families - instead of being forced into traditional ways.

If it does happen, I feel for the dogs... goodness knows what would happen to them... and I doubt, if they are considered so lowly by the powers that be, that they would be at least treated humanely...

[HollyMilo]

If it does happen, I feel for the dogs... goodness knows what would happen to them... and I doubt, if they are considered so lowly by the powers that be, that they would be at least treated humanely...

This was my concern as well

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

what an unenlightened country. very scared for the animals and their owners

[WoofnHoof]

This bit is really interesting

In past years, animal-rights activists in Iran have persuasively argued that sporadic campaigns against dog ownership are politically motivated and unlawful, since the prohibition surfaces in neither the country's civil laws nor its Islamic criminal codes.

I'm interested to know which animal rights groups are arguing for pet ownership that'd be a turnup for the books surely.

[mita]

The Humane Society International has reported periodic flare-ups of anti-pet (especially dogs) moves by the iranian Government. Last one, around 2007, was countered with a letter from the Humane Society International to the Iranian officials at the United Nations... & also a broadcast in the Farsi language over Voice of America radio. The 'reading' re dogs being unclean as household pets was questioned in terms of what the Islamic texts actually say. Cats get better acceptance as it was said the Prophet dearly loved his cats.

HSI reports that a welfare group had started up in Iran, with a shelter rescuing dogs, desexing, vaccinating & rehoming. If that welfare group still exists, I'd imagine they'd be speaking out on behalf of pet owners & their dogs. The HSI also reported (in 2007) there were the seeds of support for animal welfare across to Egypt & north Africa (tho' these are now the areas hit with unrest).

http://www.hsi.org/news/news/2009/04/iran_...ers_042909.html

I found a link to that animal welfare shelter in Iran. Those who are working at changing attitudes towards pet dogs, deserve praise & support. They have a hard row to hoe. There's a summary about dogs in the history of Iran. And also current news how there are supporters of this Iranian animal shelter in the USA. With pics showing an Iranian dog, Lucy, on her way for adoption in the US. Kind Iranian travellers agreed to 'tag' her on their plane ticket. Then final pic of Lucy with her US foster-carers.

http://vafaanimalshelter.blogspot.com/

Edited April 23, 2011 by mita

[mita]

I even found a Tibetan Spaniel in Iran, named Piko. The owner's profile says that he or she is a veterinarian.

http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/g...y/dogs/4855.htm

[Souff]

If it does happen, I feel for the dogs... goodness knows what would happen to them...

Bang.

[SkySoaringMagpie]

If it does happen, I feel for the dogs... goodness knows what would happen to them...

Bang.

Only if they are lucky.

[tarope]

In the West we don't have much to complain about do we. :D Maybe Iran might be next on the Revolution list. :D

[Brennan's Mum]

So sad for all the dogs .