According to reports in the region, The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has begun a campaign of banning the sale and walking of dogs in public in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The acting governor of the province issued a decree banning the sale of both dogs and cats as well as legislating against people who are caught walking dogs in public. This is in accordance with a fatwa issued by senior scholars.

Dogs have been banned from public sale since 2006.

There is a pervading concern in the region about the rise of popularity of dog ownership amongst youths, influenced by western culture.

“The ban was based on the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) saying that it’s forbidden to give or accept any money related to the selling or buying of dogs,” said Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, head of the commission in Makkah province.

“It’s also prohibited to keep a dog inside home. A dog can be owned for purposes of hunting, police duties, guarding houses and property, and by farmers for herding cattle and sheep,” said acting governor Prince Sattam.

A local pet owner spoke out about the ban.

“Nothing has changed. All pet stores are still selling cats and dogs. It’s just one of those regulations that are issued, yet never implemented,” he claimed.

Muslims are discouraged from keeping dogs in their homes as they are, or specifically their wet areas, considered unclean.

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