Dogs in Arab Countries

Before arriving to Jordan, I did not realize the extent of the stigma associated with dogs in Arab cultures. In Islam, dogs are considered ritually unclean and most Muslims avoid contact with them.

One of my first experiences dealing with this issue was when the Embassy helped bring in several bomb-sniffing dogs to assist with a VIP visit. At the airport, the luggage handlers refused to get near the dog carriers. Then, the airport management refused to let the caged dogs into the terminal. After we agreed with them that the dogs would be left on the tarmac for pick up, the driver of the rental car we had arranged with refused to transport the dogs when he learned what was inside the cages. After several dead-end conversations, we ended up picking up the dogs ourselves with our own vehicle.

Numerous American employees who have pet dogs routinely encounter problems with their Jordanian neighbors. It is not uncommon for locals to throw rocks at dogs as their owners take them for walks. There have also been instances of neighbors attempting to poison dogs.

Earlier this month, as I was trying to mediate one of these conflicts, a Jordanian adamantly told me that a pregnant lady residing in the same building as one of our employees refused to leave her apartment for fear that the dog would infect her unborn baby.

So, although they might not completely understand, my kids will eventually learn that Dad is not just being mean when he says, "absolutely not" to their request for a puppy.