🐕 May I keep a pit bull or another dangerous dog?

With conditions

Quick answer

Conditionally, and under very strict conditions. Under the Dangerous Dogs Regulation (NN 117/2008) the only breed that is automatically dangerous by law is the pit bull terrier not from controlled (FCI) breeding and its crossbreeds - importing and keeping them in Croatia is banned. Any other dog, regardless of breed, can be declared dangerous by official decision after it bites or attacks a person or animal. You may keep a dangerous dog only if it is microchipped and neutered, goes into public places with a muzzle and on a lead, is kept in a locked space with a DANGEROUS DOG sign, and the owner is an adult, legally capable and with a clean criminal record. The myth that only breeds on some list are dangerous is false - even the most ordinary dog that has attacked becomes one. The fine for the owner runs up to 50,000 kuna (about 6,636 euros), and the law still states the amounts in kuna.

📋 The rules

The Dangerous Dogs Regulation: a pit bull terrier not from controlled (FCI) breeding and its crossbreeds are dangerous by law, and their import is banned.
Any dog that has bitten or attacked a person or animal can be declared dangerous by official decision, regardless of breed.
A dangerous dog is taken into public places with a muzzle and on a lead and kept in a locked space with a visible DANGEROUS DOG sign.
The owner must be an adult, legally capable and without a criminal record, and the dog microchipped and neutered within 14 days of the ruling.
The fine for an owner whose dog becomes dangerous through lack of training is 20,000 to 50,000 kuna (about 2,654 to 6,636 euros); the law still lists it in kuna.

🔓 Exceptions

A pit bull with a valid FCI pedigree from controlled breeding does not fall automatically under the ban, but remains under supervision.
Dogs trained and certified for work - police, military, guard dogs - are under a special keeping and use regime.
Until it is declared dangerous by decision, an ordinary dog is not a dangerous dog under the Regulation, yet the owner still answers for any damage.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

For an owner who did not ensure the upbringing or training of the dog so that it is dangerous to its surroundings, the Animal Protection Act (NN 102/2017) prescribes a fine of 20,000 to 50,000 kuna - amounts the statute still states in kuna, which at the fixed rate of 7.53450 is about 2,654 to 6,636 euros. Alongside the fine the dog can be seized and a protective measure banning the keeping and acquisition of another animal imposed. If the dog injures someone, the owner is liable for damage under the principle of strict liability of the animal keeper from the Obligations Act, and in serious cases criminal prosecution is possible. Oversight is carried out by municipal wardens and the veterinary inspectorate, who can see the database of microchipped dogs, so an unregistered or uninsured dangerous dog is quickly found.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Which breeds are dangerous in Croatia?

The law expressly names as a dangerous breed only the pit bull terrier not from controlled FCI breeding and its crossbreeds. All other dogs are declared dangerous individually by an official decision, based on the behaviour of the dog rather than its breed.

Must a dangerous dog wear a muzzle in the street?

Yes, a dangerous dog in a public place must wear a muzzle and be on a lead, and at home be kept in a locked space with a visible DANGEROUS DOG sign. Without a muzzle and lead the owner commits an offence and answers for all damage the dog causes.

May I import a pit bull from abroad?

Importing, bringing in and the temporary stay of pit bull terriers not entered in the FCI register and their crossbreeds are banned in Croatia. A dog with a valid FCI pedigree from controlled breeding does not fall automatically under that ban, but is still subject to supervision.

Who may own a dangerous dog?

The owner of a dangerous dog must be an adult, legally capable and with a clean criminal record, and the dog must be microchipped, neutered and have passed a socialisation test. People who do not meet those conditions may not keep a dog declared dangerous.

What if my dog bites someone?

If a dog bites a person or another animal, the owner is liable for damage under strict liability, and the dog may be declared dangerous by decision with all the duties that follow. In serious cases both misdemeanour and criminal proceedings are possible.

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