(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Iran’s capital city has banned the public from walking pet dogs, as part of a long-standing official campaign to discourage dog-ownership.
Tehran Police Chief Hossein Rahimi said “we have received permission from the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office, and will take measures against people walking dogs in public spaces, such as parks”.
‘Fear and anxiety’
He told the Young Journalists Club news agency that the ban was due to dogs “creating fear and anxiety” among members of the public.
As if this were not draconian enough, Brigadier-General Rahimi added that driving with a dog in your car was also banned.
“It is forbidden to drive dogs around in cars and, if this is observed, serious police action will be taken against the car-owners in question,” he told the agency, which was set up by Iran’s state broadcaster to train young journalists.
