Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7
By Temkin Jafarov - Trend:
Thirty-nine Iranian MPs have drafted a law that bans keeping and walking dogs and monkeys, and play with them in public places and on streets, according to the Iranian news agency Tabnak.
If the draft law is approved, the persons, keeping, walking and selling dogs and monkeys, will face a punishment - 74 lashes or fine ranging from $300 to $3,000.
The draft law also stipulates toughening the penalties for the media outlets promoting the "culture of keeping dogs and playing with them". Such media outlet representatives will face 74 lashes and imprisonment from three to six months.
"Anyone, who, contrary to the Islamic culture, walks dogs and monkeys, or plays with them in public places, harming peace and human health, in particular the health of women and children, or those selling them, keeping them at home, and not complying with demands of police, will face a fine ranging from $300 to $3,000, or 74 lashes," according to the draft law.
"The animal will be confiscated," the draft law said.
The draft law said the confiscated animals will be transferred to "zoos or released into the forest or desert."
Prior to the transfer of animals all maintenance costs will be paid by their owners.
If the draft law is approved, the country's health ministry will unveil a list of animals that are harmful to the human health.
The draft law doesn't apply to police officers, persons engaged in sowing, owners of gardens, shepherds and hunters, who by profession need to keep animals.
Edited by SI