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Society & Culture

Survey: What do you think of the recent extermination of stray dogs in Shiraz and other cities?

April 22, 2015
Natasha Schmidt
2 min read
Survey: What do you think of the recent extermination of stray dogs in Shiraz and other cities?

When a video emerged that appeared to prove that anti-dog vigilantes had killed stray dogs in Shiraz and Mashhad, animal lovers rallied, organizing protests in Shiraz calling for the protection of animals and for the perpetrators of the attacks to be punished.

In response, IranWire launched a campaign to show solidarity with animals in Iran, and to remind readers about increasing attacks against dogs — carried out not only by fringe groups, but also local authorities. And, if a group of MPs have their way, owning a pet dog could be punishable by 74 lashes and a cash fine— and result in the dog being confiscated and killed.

IranWire asked its Persian readers what they thought of the most recent attacks on dogs in Iran.

An overwhelming 97 percent said they were against killing stray dogs. Fifty-five percent of those polled said killing dogs is “disrespectful to the lives of humans and animals, and to the environment”. Other readers, 42 percent, responded that it was only acceptable to kill animals if they were sick, and that “euthanasia practices should observe moral and health issues and should be performed under the supervision of a veterinarian”.

The public reactions against the killing dogs was covered in Iranian and international media, and activists have approached their MPs and relevant authorities about the recent brutality against dogs. One of Hassan Rouhani’s vice presidents, Masoumeh Ebtekar, who also heads up Iran’s Environmental Protection Agency, recently wrote to the minister of the interior about the issue. One IranWire reader said that the public should demand better laws to protect animals, and acknowledged that Ebtekar’s decision to raise the issue drew much-needed attention to the laws that exist, however unsatisfactory.  

Government institutions in Fars province have also responded to citizens’ demands to know more, saying that while raising awareness cannot prevent further abuse and vigilantism, it makes it more difficult for people to get away with it.

Please send photos, videos and messages of support to [email protected] and visit Being A Dog is Not a Crime

 

Related articles:

Being a Dog is Not a Crime

“Stop Killing Dogs”

Crime: Owning a Pet

 

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