Public Administration and the Law of Animal Protection in Croatia

Humans and animals have co-existed throughout history. Animals were used for food, clothing, work, but Tobit’s dog in Bible is probably one of first pets ever mentioned. Not just Bible, but other written documents show those relations, mainly concerning either selling animals or resolving damages incurred by animals or by human to someone’s animal. Public administration played its role in trials towards animals and in conducting imposed sentences. Veterinarians have been providing inspections concerning animal health, food safety, etc. Lately, as our behaviour towards animals changed, public administration started providing protection for pets and later for abandoned and lost animals. The objective of this study is to show how relations drastically changed in less than 200 years. Previous legal documents concerning animal status and protection were analysed. The empirical research was conducted among 555 Croatian local selfgovernment units. The results will show current situation vis-à-vis protection of abandoned and lost animals, and financial implications for local self-government units. Concluding remarks are based on survey results suggesting need for certain legal changes.