'Paw-sitively' bizarre: Iranian real estate agent gets arrested for selling house to pet dog
Dog
Iranian authorities have taken action against the head of a real estate agency after a viral video surfaced, showing the sale of an apartment to a dog. The video, which gained widespread attention, shows an Iranian couple transferring the apartment's title to their pet dog, Chester, as reported by AFP.
The unusual transaction
In the video that has sparked controversy, the couple can be seen signing a contract officially transferring ownership of their property to their small, white dog, Chester.
The contract was completed with Chester's pawprint, which was made using an ink pad and the assistance of a woman. The couple explained their unusual decision by stating they had no heirs and wished to sell their apartment to their beloved pet.
Iran's perspective on dogs
)
BREAKING | Israel-Iran War: Iran launches new barrage of missiles at Israel
)
‘Won’t stop until we remove threat’: Israeli FM says delayed Iran’s nuclear bomb by ‘at least two or three years’
)
F-35 stuck in India: 'Stealth code' talk, ‘OLX listing’, Modi-Starmer memes swirl about UK fighter jet stranded for 6 days
)
1,000 kg nuclear bombshell: Why attack on Iran’s Bushehr plant could trigger catastrophic fallout
)
American B-2 stealth bombers take off from US base amid Iran’s 'dangerous' warning to US - What’s next for Israel-Iran war?
)
Marathi actor‑director Tushar Ghadigaonkar commits suicide, reports cite career worries
)
Israel claims top IRGC commander Mohammad Saeed Izadi, who armed Hamas for Oct 7 attack, eliminated in Qom airstrike
)
'Shattered by missile from evil regime': Israel's ‘crown jewel of science' targeted by Iran | What was destroyed as missile hit Weizmann Institute
)
'Do you remember me?' Deeply eerie, creepy voice greets people calling homes in Iran
)
‘Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe’: Trump says European powers can’t help in ending Israel-Iran conflict
While Iran does not have a specific law banning dog ownership, the cultural view of dogs, influenced by conservative clerics, is predominantly negative. Dogs are considered unclean in many Muslim countries, including Iran, and conservative religious figures often discourage keeping them as pets.
Also watch |A Japanese man spends 2 Million Yen to become a dog
Legal action and controversy
On Sunday (August 20), the Iranian police initiated an investigation in response to the viral video. The head of the real estate agency involved in the sale was arrested, and the firm was temporarily closed. Deputy prosecutor general Reza Tabar explained that the sale was seen as an attempt to normalise behaviour that goes against society's moral values and lacked a legal basis.
Despite traditional views, pet ownership, particularly of dogs and cats, has been on the rise in Iran, especially among the upper and middle classes.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE: