Landlords in Kerman and Dog Ownership Fines

The local newspaper Payam in Kerman has reported the approval of a regulation by the city council, which states that individuals who keep dogs at home will face a fine of up to fifty thousand tomans. This regulation also emphasizes the prohibition of keeping sheep within urban limits, with a fine of up to one hundred thousand tomans for those who violate it. The approval of this regulation by the members of the Kerman city council has faced opposition from the Iranian Animal Rights Association, which in a letter to Ali Akbar Moshrefi, the head of the Kerman city council, described the regulation as strange, unconstitutional, and a restriction on individual freedoms. Javid Al-Davood, the director of the Iranian Animal Rights Association in Tehran, responded to questions from Radio Farda regarding this matter. He mentioned that he spoke on the phone with the head of the city council, who stated that they can establish a series of laws themselves. When asked for examples, the council head suggested that further questions could be posed later, but no answers have been received so far. Legally and constitutionally, the city council is obligated and responsible for urban issues, which must be sent to the governor for approval and then executed by the municipality. Al-Davood pointed out that the council head only mentioned that this law had existed before. When asked why they wanted to reapprove a previously existing law, the council head said they need to renew or change it every year. Al-Davood expressed hope that the request from the association and the small animal veterinary community would lead to the cancellation of this regulation or prevent similar regulations in the future. He noted that many people in urban areas keep sheep, and this announcement seems to be aimed at removing them. He criticized the city council's decision as a means of sowing discord among the people and creating security issues for the country, stating that such a regulation is unjustifiable and strange. He emphasized that if people are keeping sheep in the city, urban expansion should involve purchasing the areas where they are located. He also mentioned that the council does not have the authority to set fines, which should be determined by a judge and court, not the city council. He concluded that the regulation would only create disputes among residents and that the city council lacks the necessary executive powers to enforce such a law, potentially leading to reliance on law enforcement and judicial authorities.