Croatia is exploring the idea of replicating the role of the Animal Rights Ombudsman, first established in Italy by the Piedmont region. This innovative model, created within the Regional Council, has drawn the interest of the University of Rijeka (Fiume). Accompanied by Ilaria Riva from the Department of Law at the University of Turin, Professors Sandra Winkler and Sanja Barić from the Faculty of Law in Rijeka met with Ombudsman Paolo Guiso.

“The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of this institutional figure in order to propose its implementation at the government level in Croatia. Today marks the beginning of this journey,” the professors explained.

Guiso, honored by the attention, emphasized the ethical principle underpinning animal rights: “The Ombudsman’s office represents the natural evolution of society’s growing sensitivity toward the conditions in which animals are kept. We work with public administrations and citizens to ensure that animals have living conditions respectful of their well-being, in line with legal provisions.”

Piedmont was the first Italian region to establish an Animal Rights Ombudsman; today, similar roles exist in Campania and Sicily, and legislative proposals are underway to introduce the figure at the national level.

“In Croatia,” Winkler and Barić concluded, “laws are in place to protect animal welfare, particularly for domestic and companion animals, less so for wild animals. However, there is a lack of an institutional figure who can collaborate with law enforcement and the judiciary, while also promoting legislative initiatives.” (9colonne)