From letters to the Supreme Court to a year-round resource for animals. Read the story

Animal Writes
Contact us

How to report animal cruelty in Goa

How to report animal cruelty in Goa

In Goa the police “Register Complaint” service takes a complaint against any person with a valid reason, once you register on the portal (Goa Police citizen portal, modified ). Goa’s own animal law is the Goa Animal Preservation Act, 1995 (Goa Act 7 of 1996).

Report it to the police in Goa

  • The Goa Police citizen portal’s “Register Complaint” service lets you register a complaint against any individual with a valid reason. You need to register on the portal first (Goa Police citizen portal, modified ).
  • The portal also lists “E-FIR Registration” and “Report a Crime”. It does not say which cases the e-FIR covers (Goa Police citizen portal, checked ).
  • For emergencies, call 112.
  • For the laws (PCA Act s.11, BNS s.325), what to write, Zero FIR and what to do if the police refuse, see our national guide, How to report animal cruelty and file an FIR.

Goa State Animal Welfare Board

  • The Goa State Animal Welfare Board was reconstituted by Notification No. 14-9-AH/AWB/2017-18/6002, with the Animal Husbandry Minister as ex-officio chairperson (Official Gazette, Series II No. 42, ).
  • Office: Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Pashusamvardhan Bhavan, Patto, Panaji (same notification).

Goa laws on animals

  • Goa Animal Preservation Act, 1995 (Goa Act 7 of 1996) (India Code, checked ). The Bill as passed by the Assembly on made all offences under it cognizable, with up to 6 months’ jail, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both (Goa Legislative Assembly, Bill No. 25 of 1995).
  • The Goa Animal Preservation Rules, 1999 are made under the Act (India Code, checked ).

Other help in Goa

  • South Goa has a District SPCA (Government of Goa, notifications and notices, ).
  • Find animal welfare organisations, District SPCAs and vets in Goa in our Directory.

Related on Animal Writes

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Questions and answers

You can report animal cruelty in Goa through “Register Complaint” on the Goa Police citizen portal, after registering, or at a police station. In an emergency, call 112. Our national guide explains what to write.

The Goa State Animal Welfare Board works from the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Pashusamvardhan Bhavan, Patto, Panaji. The Animal Husbandry Minister is its chairperson.

The Goa Animal Preservation Act, 1995 (Goa Act 7 of 1996) is Goa’s own animal law. The Goa Animal Preservation Rules, 1999 are made under it.

Sources

By Animal Writes

Checked .

Editorial policyReport a mistake

More guides

From the Library

  • DRI seizes 86 live Tokay Geckos in Assam in a crackdown on wildlife trafficking; two arrested

    Official Release

    DRI seizes 86 live Tokay Geckos in Assam in a crackdown on wildlife trafficking; two arrested

    The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence confiscated 86 live Tokay geckos in Assam during a wildlife trafficking crackdown. Acting on specific intelligence regarding an illegal trade deal, officers intercepted two individuals at Bandar Chalia Gaon Ground in Mariani. The endangered animals were seized under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the two apprehended persons were subsequently handed over to the Mariani Range Forest office for further action.

  • Madras High Court, 1 Sep 2026: PCA section 11(1)(a) is non-cognizable (Balaji v. State, Crl.O.P. No. 9632 of 2026)

    Judgment

    Madras High Court, 1 Sep 2026: PCA section 11(1)(a) is non-cognizable (Balaji v. State, Crl.O.P. No. 9632 of 2026)

    The Madras High Court delivered a judgment in Balaji v. State, Crl.O.P. No. 9632 of 2026, quashing a criminal case under section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 against a man accused of throwing a stone at a neighbour's dog that had bitten him. Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan held that the offence is non-cognizable, meaning the police cannot arrest without a warrant under section 31 of the Act, and that for a first offence the punishment is a fine of Rs 10 to Rs 50. The court ruled that the police should therefore have taken the magistrate's permission under section 174(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita before registering the first information report. The court also noted that no evidence showed the dog was injured and that the complaint was a counterblast to the petitioner's own complaint.

  • Page 1 of Implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Application of Fines) Rules, 1978 read with Section 38(2)(k) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 dated – 31.07.2026

    Circular

    Implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Application of Fines) Rules, 1978 read with Section 38(2)(k) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 dated – 31.07.2026

    The Animal Welfare Board of India issued a circular regarding the implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Application of Fines) Rules, 1978, in connection with Section 38(2)(k) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. It directs state governments to ensure that fines levied under the Act are allocated to the Board, which utilizes the funds exclusively for recognized animal welfare societies within relevant states or union territories. The circular also requests all District SPCAs to effectively enforce these rules, aiming to reduce unnecessary pain and suffering to animals. Document number AC-02003/4/2026-AWBI.