Lawmakers in Iran have proposed a bill that would make it illegal to own dogs because they're filthy and gross, according to a new report in Time. A leading cleric in the past has publicly denounced "short-legged" and "holdable" canines, and, if the law passes, the government could soon begin confiscating dogs from their owners. But there's more to it than just trying to keep the country's streets clean:

The bill warns that that in addition to posing public health hazards, the popularity of dog ownership "also poses a cultural problem, a blind imitation of the vulgar culture of the West."

Hmm. Sounds a lot like Western cultural export Paris Hilton: Vulgar? Check. Cultural problem? Check. Owner of "holdable" dog? Check.

[Time; Paris Hilton with her "short-legged" and "holdable" dog via Getty]