Croatia tightens penalties for animal cruelty

Abandoning animals becomes a criminal offence

Over 10’000 animals are abandoned every year in Croatia.

This is not only a problem for pets such as dogs and cats, but also for farm animals. Through an amendment to the Croatian Penal Code, the abandonment of animals is now a criminal offence punishable by up to two years in prison. In addition, penalties for inflicting unnecessary pain or suffering and for killing or mistreating animals are being increased.

The amendments to the Croatian Penal Code came into force on 2 April and bring the long-awaited positive changes in animal welfare with them.

Up to two years in prison

Under the new law, persons who abandon an animal for which they are responsible face a custodial sentence of up to one year. If the abandonment results in the death of an animal or involves the abandonment of multiple animals, the perpetrator may be sentenced to up to two years in prison.

This significant victory for animal welfare is the culmination of extensive efforts by Animal Friends Croatia, which in 2021 initiated a petition calling for the abandonment of animals to be treated as a criminal offence. Notably, 80% of the population supported this campaign.

The abandonment of animals can now be reported directly to the police or the public prosecutor's office, rather than to veterinary inspectors. This streamlined procedure aims to speed up responses and facilitate the prosecution of offenders. It also serves as a deterrent against the abandonment of animals, as those affected now know they risk a prison sentence and are encouraged to consider the long-term care of animals before acquiring one.

Increased Penalties and Animal Keeping Bans

The penalties for causing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals, as well as for killing or seriously mistreating animals, have been increased from a maximum of one year to two years. In cases where these offences are committed for financial gain, perpetrators can now face a custodial sentence of up to three years instead of two years.

A further new measure enables courts to impose restrictions on persons who have committed animal-related offences where there is a risk of reoffending: a ban on owning or acquiring animals for a period of one to five years.

Animal Friends Croatia is now calling on all citizens who have information about legal violations to immediately report all cases of animal abandonment and mistreatment to the police.