Will pet owners in Iran soon be forced to say goodbye to their furry friends?
It is very possible that it is.
About a quarter of the country's lawmakers recently signed a bill called "Supporting the Rights of the Population Regarding Harmful and Dangerous Animals."
The bill states, among other things, that "human and animal housing under the same roof is a destructive social problem" and that "the phenomenon could harm the Iranian and Islamic lifestyles by replacing human and family ties in emotional relationships with animals."
If the offer is accepted, the law will prohibit "importing, breeding, buying, selling, transferring, transporting and marching with animals", as well as "keeping exotic and dangerous animals in the home".
And if you thought it was a sensible bill dealing with dangerous animals like crocodiles, cougars and grizzly bears, for example, keep in mind that the list also includes "dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles and mice, as well as other 'dirty' animals such as monkeys."
In other words - everything that is not human.
Violators of the law, if passed, may pay a "fine up to 30 times the minimum monthly wage," and the animal will of course be confiscated (and likely killed).
Also, vehicles that will be involved in transporting the animal will be confiscated for three months.
"It's a cat, not a criminal"
As expected, the Iranian public, some of whom are known as cat lovers and even feed stray cats, do not accept the bill with understanding, and many even express their disgust at the delusional offer on the net. Journalist Yagana Kedmi wondered cynically "how many times have cats tried to devour you until you came to the conclusion that they are dangerous?", While another surfer declared that he had changed his cat's name to "criminal" after hearing about the bill.
Guest and cat at the Cat Museum in Tehran, Photo: AP
Mina, who owns a dog, criticized the administration, saying "they probably think that grieving couples do not have children because they have a dog at home. But these are not the dogs, but the economic situation that does not allow us to have children." While an actress, who asked to remain anonymous, planned to hold a demonstration in front of the Iranian parliament building, however, she was forced to cancel it due to pressure exerted on her.
Even among more moderate Iranian politicians, other voices are being heard, and even legislators who do not support the proposal in its entirety are willing to live with parts of it.
"No one can deny the services that animals provide to humans, but this area must be regulated," explained an environmental activist named Somia Rifai, while the head of the parliamentary justice committee, Musa Gazenfarbadi, announced that he "agrees with the project in general, but opposes For several sections in it. "
Either way, days will tell what will happen to the poor Iranian animals, whose fate is shrouded in mist.
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