Iran has banned dog-walking in the capital city of Tehran, in an attempt to discourage people from owning the pets. Hossein Rahimi, Tehran’s police chief, said "we have received permission from the Tehran Prosecutor's Office, and will take measures against people walking dogs in public spaces, such as parks".

This could include confiscation and fines.

He told the Young Journalists Club news agency that the ban was due to dogs "creating fear and anxiety" among members of the public.

Brigadier-General Rahimi added that driving with a dog in your car was also banned.

"It is forbidden to drive dogs around in cars and, if this is observed, serious police action will be taken against the car-owners in question," he told the agency, which was set up by Iran's state broadcaster to train young journalists.

Ownership of dogs as pets has not been banned outright by the government, but since the Islamic revolution of 1979 keeping dogs has been contentious.

Dogs are viewed as "unclean" by Iran's conservative authorities, which regard dog ownership as a Western import.

In 2010, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance banned the media from publishing any advertisements for pets or pet-related products.

There was later a move in parliament to fine and even flog dog-walkers.