Seeing animal cruelty in Croatia — how to report it

First, stay safe

Do not confront the person. Record what you can from a distance, without risk to yourself or the animal.

What to document

• Photos and video with visible dates
• The exact location
• The condition of the animal and, if possible, who is responsible

Where to report

• Police — 192 (day and night); the unified EU number 112 also reaches the police and other emergency services
• Animal-protection associations: HCP (Zagreb, with the city shelter), Prijatelji životinja (nationwide) — they help file reports and can intervene with the authorities
• County inspection authorities (županijski inspektorat) carry out on-site checks after a report

Penalties

The Animal Protection Act provides fines for keeping animals in improper conditions; cruelty and torture are criminal offences with prison sentences. Reports from private citizens regularly lead to inspections — do not assume your report will be ignored.