Yes Virginia, there are dogs in Reykjavik
Last week I moved to Reykjavik, Iceland (where I will be spending the next 4 months). It is a beautiful and friendly city. One of the things I was curious to find out was the accuracy of various reports on the web (like here, here and even here) that it is illegal to own a dog in Reykjavik. My second day here my question was answered when I passed someone walking a dog down the street. I have since seen many other pet dogs about. I asked a local about it and they got a good laugh to hear that the internet has sites saying it is illegal to own a dog in Reykjavik. There are strict leash, licensing and vaccination laws (like a lot of places), and apparently there used to be some even stricter laws, but let me state, it is not illegal to own a dog in Reykjavik, Iceland. Imagine that, incorrect information on the internet, this has got to be first 
Next thing, someone will be claiming that spaghetti doesn’t really grow on trees!
A referendum was held in 1988. Prior to this, dogs were not permitted in Reykjavik.
Comment on July 14, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
Not sure where you got your information Ian. None of the adult native Icelanders I spoke with seemed to know anything about dogs ever being not allowed in Reykjavik. Maybe they had a failed referendum to try to outlaw dogs? There must be some source to this legend, just not sure what it is yet.
Comment on July 15, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
I used to live in Reykjavik, and had a dog… they were not ever officially illegal, but are still considered to be farm animals and not suitable for living in the city because they “spread disease” (to sheep apparently)
Anyway, it wasn’t so fun to have a dog there around 2000 or so… old people would cross the street to get away from you if you had a dog with you…
Comment on January 10, 2009 @ 11:15 am