Unconventional property transfer: Iranian estate agent arrested for transferring ownership to dog

A startling viral video has emerged from Iran, capturing widespread attention and prompting the closure of a real estate agency.

The head of an Iranian real estate firm found himself behind bars following the circulation of a viral video that unveiled the agency's peculiar act: transferring property ownership to a dog. The video showcased the dog, Chester, 'signing' with paw prints and being named the rightful owner of an apartment.

The dog's owners, a couple, justified this unconventional decision by explaining that without biological heirs, their beloved pet Chester became their preferred choice to inherit the property. The act reflects a unique approach to property inheritance, sparking both curiosity and bewilderment.


Despite the absence of a specific law prohibiting pet ownership in Iran, the nation's conservative Muslim majority, influenced by certain interpretations of Islamic law, often views dogs as 'unclean'. As a result, keeping dogs as pets is generally frowned upon within the society.

Deputy Prosecutor General Reza Tabar, quoted by the judiciary’s Mizan Online website, revealed that in response to the viral video, the head of the real estate agency was apprehended, and the firm was forcibly closed. Tabar asserted that the property transfer move seeks to "normalize the violation of the society’s moral values" and has "no legal basis".

Although traditional perspectives consider dogs unclean as domestic animals, an emerging trend among Iran's upper classes has challenged this notion, with a growing number of individuals opting to keep cats and dogs as beloved companions.

Watch the video here: