There has never been a more serious threat to consumers of this addictive drink, prompting a reaction from the Sanitation Inspection Office.
You may or may not be aware, but having your much-needed coffee drink in a bar in Croatia could be ruined - by dog hair.
As it turns out, Croatia has a law prohibiting pets from any coffee bars, including terraces. This law, among many others that are unknown to the public as well as bar owners, is naturally not obeyed by many owners and their bartenders. Pets, especially dogs, are quite common around Croatia, while Croatians are also big coffee consumers. So very often dogs accompany their owners into bars or at least onto terraces.
The threat posed by dogs came into the public spotlight last week, as a bar owner in the Gajnice area of Zagreb received a fine from a Sanitation Inspector. The Sanitation Inspection Office received an anonymous tip (!) and sent one of its diligent inspectors to bear all the might of the state and its laws onto this bar owner.
The unfortunate subject of the story is Vladimir Matković, owner of the Flip coffee bar, who was handed a fine of 133 Euro for unhygienic conditions. One of the main objections was the presence of two dogs on the terrace at the time of inspection, while one entered the bar itself. The inspection log details the floor as well as some of the chairs had dog hairs, as 24sata reported on June 26, 2016.
“The inspector told us how dog hair could have ended up in someone’s coffee. We asked if we’re obliged to display a “dog friendly” sign, but she responded that means nothing and that dogs are barred from the interior and exterior as well,” Matković said. He paid the fine within three days, but feels the inspector could have given them a warning first.
“I would advise other bar owners to be careful as at least half of them in Zagreb accept pets. They are all in violation just like me,” Matković added.
Typical of Croatia and its administration, preferring to crack down on the little man (and dog) as he is easier to deal with than multi-million tax-evading animals across the nation.
The unfortunate subject of the story is Vladimir Matković, owner of the Flip coffee bar, who was delivered a fine of 133 Euro for unhygienic conditions. One of the main objections was the presence of two dogs on the terrace at the time of inspection, while one entered the bar itself. The inspection log details the floor as well as some of the chairs had dog hairs, as 24sata reported on June 26, 2016.
“The inspector told us how dog hair could have ended up in someone’s coffee. We asked if we’re obliged to display a “dog friendly” sign, but she responded that means nothing and that dogs are barred from the interior and exterior as well,” Matković said. He paid the fine within three days, but feels the inspector could have given them a warning first.
“I would advise other bar owners to be careful as at least half of them in Zagreb accept pets. They are all in violation just like me,” Matković added.
