Iranian animal lovers denounce government's plan to ban pets

Iranian people living in the capital Tehran decry the government's bill that criminalizes keeping pets at home.

The Iranian parliament has prepared a bill banning the import, transport, purchase, sale and possession of animals, such as crocodiles, snakes, lizards, mice, monkeys, turtles, rabbits, cats and dogs.

The parliament claimed that the bill was prepared to protect the public against dangerous and harmful animals.

The parliament also announced that charities, some non-governmental organizations, the military and some research and public centers would be exempt from the bill.

In addition, people living in rural areas will be exempt from the ban.

However, animal lovers oppose the bill, because, they claim that the bill is, especially, prepared for those who have cats and dogs at home.

Azita Nazimi is a animal lover and she lives with a dog in Tehran.

She accepted that some animals harm the environment and disturbs the public due to the carelessness of their owners.

However, she said people and animals should not pay for the crimes of some irresponsible people.

"If the bill becomes law, it would be like someone from my family is taken away. It's a very sad."she said.

Another animal lover Sara Gerami also said the similar thing: "I am not really happy with the bill prepared by the parliament. I live with my dog. He is like a member of my family. Some families who lost their children adopt dogs, they are unhappy when they do not see them. Some old people particularly have feeling towards animals."

 

 

 

 

REUTERS