Commentary, by Mark C. Robinson.
I fully realize that there are more pressing matters in Iran and in the Middle East right now. Nonetheless, this kind of assault against Iranian people who love their animals is not right and needs to be given attention .If you can provide a better translation, or can find out who, in Iran is fighting this so we can support them, please let us know.

Mark C. Robinson
HandicappedPets.com

This was translated from an Iranian News website
http://www.parset.com/News/ShowNews.aspx?Code=346029


Iranian Government to Outlaw Dogs

On March 11, 2011,  Thirty nine representatives presented a plan to the Islamic Consultive Assembly that will outlaw dogs and other animals in the streets and in homes. Violators will be fined the equivalent of up to $500 and the animal will be taken from them.

In the introduction to the proposal, it states that one of the problems that has arisen in recent years in Our Islamic country has been the spreading practice of taking care of animals in the streets of big cities.
 
This issue is especially apparent in big cities like Tehran. This report adds: "Taking care of dogs and other animals is a social-cultural problem and a threat to public health. In addition this a kind of imitation of western culture is vulgar."

So to prevent the ever increasing trend of keeping dogs in houses and apartments and taking them for walks in the streets this proposal was presented to the Islamic Consultative Assembly. This proposal will be an addition to the Islamic Penal Code.

Taking out dangerous animals or animals that are considered 'dirty' such as dogs in public places and streets or in car is forbidden. Anyone committing the crime will be subject to a  cash penalty of one million rials to 5 million rials ($500) and the animal will be taken.

The Ministry of Health is asked to prepare a list of dangerous animals.