Keeping a dog can be regulated, not banned — neglect is fined 15,000–30,000 kn (the act is still written in kuna)

Updated July 2026

🐕 Can I keep a dog in a flat and on the balcony, and can it be banned?

With conditions

Quick answer

Conditional — you may keep a dog in a flat, but with duties towards the animal and the neighbours. Keeping pets in a flat is regulated by the animal-protection rules, local decisions and the inter-owner agreement (Ordinance on House Rules in Buildings, NN 86/25), so keeping a dog can as a rule be regulated but not fully banned. Here the myth „the neighbours or the manager can ban my dog" falls: they can set rules (cleanliness, supervision, shared areas), but not take away the right to a pet. In return, hard duties apply: the Animal Protection Act (NN 102/17) bans keeping a dog permanently tied and neglecting it as to health, housing and care, and the dog must be microchipped. Leaving a dog alone on a balcony for whole days or nights, without shelter and supervision, amounts to neglect. Barking that disturbs neighbours breaches the house rules and public peace. Mind the trap: the fines in that act are still written in kuna.

📋 The rules

The right to a pet: keeping pets in a flat can be regulated by the animal-protection rules, a local decision and the inter-owner agreement, but cannot be fully banned (Ordinance on House Rules in Buildings, NN 86/25).
Ban on permanent tying: the Animal Protection Act (NN 102/17) bans keeping dogs permanently tied or keeping them without allowing free movement — permanent tying on a balcony or in a yard is an offence.
Welfare and care: it is banned to neglect an animal as to health, housing, feeding and care; leaving a dog alone on a balcony for whole days without shelter, water and supervision amounts to neglect.
Microchip and supervision: the dog must be microchipped and entered in the Register of Pets, and the owner must ensure it daily supervision and care; oversight of animal protection is carried out by the veterinary inspectorate.
Neighbours and noise: the owner must ensure the pet does not disturb other residents and clean up after it in the shared parts; persistent barking heard outside the flat breaches the house rules and can be a matter for the police (public order).

🔓 Exceptions

Shared areas: in the shared parts of the building (hallway, staircase, yard) pets must not be left unsupervised; the co-owners may by a simple majority further regulate the rules for the shared areas.
Dangerous dogs: for dogs of breeds or individuals considered dangerous, stricter rules apply (training, muzzle, keeping conditions) under special rules, regardless of the general right to a pet.
Working and guard dogs: exceptions for guard and working dogs exist, but even then the owner must ensure daily supervision and welfare conditions — the exception does not cover permanent tying or neglect.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Properly keeping a microchipped, cared-for dog carries no fine. Fines come with breaches of welfare, and here is the trap: the Animal Protection Act (NN 102/17) is still written in kuna because it predates the euro. For neglecting an animal as to health, housing, feeding and care, a natural person faces 15,000–30,000 kn — at the fixed rate of 7.53450 that is about €1,991–3,982. For keeping and treating a pet in a way that endangers people's health and safety, especially children, the fine is 20,000–50,000 kn (about €2,654–6,636). Alongside the fine the inspectorate can seize the animal and impose a ban on keeping other animals. The hidden layer is neighbour disputes: persistent barking and mess lead to complaints to the manager, the municipal warden and the police, and in serious cases to damages. That is why it is cheaper and safer to give the dog care and supervision than to pay an offence and risk seizure.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Can my neighbours or the manager ban a dog in my flat?

They cannot fully ban keeping a pet, but they can set rules on cleanliness, supervision and behaviour in the shared areas. Keeping is regulated by the animal-protection rules, a local decision and the inter-owner agreement, not by an arbitrary ban.

May I keep a dog on the balcony?

A dog may spend time on the balcony under supervision, but it must not be kept there permanently or left alone for whole days without shelter, water and care. Such leaving amounts to neglect of the animal, which the Animal Protection Act expressly bans.

Is permanent tying of a dog allowed?

No, the Animal Protection Act bans keeping dogs permanently tied or keeping them without the possibility of free movement. For such treatment the owner faces an offence fine, and the inspectorate can also seize the animal and ban further keeping.

A neighbour's dog barks constantly, who do I turn to?

First to the manager and the co-owners' representative who enforce the house rules, and for breaches of public order to the police. If it is a matter of neglect or poor keeping conditions, you can also file a report with the veterinary inspectorate.

How big are the fines under the Animal Protection Act?

The act is still written in kuna, so the amounts are converted at the rate of 7.53450. For neglecting an animal the fine is 15,000–30,000 kn (about €1,991–3,982), and for endangering people's safety 20,000–50,000 kn (about €2,654–6,636).

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