Croatia: Increased penalties for animal abandonment

In Croatia, amendments to the Criminal Code came into force on 2 April 2024, increasing the penalties for abandoning, torturing and killing animals. In particular, the newly amended penal code provides for longer prison sentences for abandoning animals or torturing animals for profit. Anyone found guilty of abandoning animals in their care can be sentenced to up to one year in prison. This penalty increases to up to two years imprisonment if the abandonment results in the death of the animal or if a large number of animals are left to fend for themselves. In addition, the legislation addresses the offences of killing and torturing animals or causing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals by increasing the penalties from one year to two years’ imprisonment. In cases where such offences are committed for financial profit, offenders can now be jailed for up to three years. As a preventive measure, they can also be banned from acquiring and keeping animals for a period of one to five years.