Hemani Kandhari
Jammu, October 1: In a major awareness-cum-enforcement drive, the Animal Husbandry Department, Jammu, with support from PETA India, has seized 140 metal spiked, or “thorn”, bits allegedly used to control horses through pain during tourist rides, goods transportation and other commercial activities in Katra and Shiv Khori.
The seized devices were displayed on Thursday at the Veterinary Dispensary in Katra. Officials said the spiked bits are designed to press against and injure sensitive tissues inside a horse’s mouth, causing pain and distress. Each confiscated spiked bit was replaced with a smooth, painless bit for the horses.
The Animal Husbandry Department said the use of such spiked bits violates Rule 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965, which prohibits their use on horses, mules and other draught and pack animals.
Director Animal Husbandry Department, Jammu, Dr. Yugal Kishore, said tourism and celebrations should not come at the cost of animal welfare. He described spiked bits as devices intended to inflict pain and injury and said the enforcement drive was undertaken to prevent animal abuse and provide relief to horses.
PETA India Policy Associate Chumki Dutta said spiked bits are used to control horses through pain and can cause injuries to their lips and tongues. She urged horse owners and the public to shift towards humane and mechanised alternatives for transportation, tourism and similar activities.
PETA India Senior Manager, Mechanisation Projects, Mahesh Tyagi, said the continued use of such devices is linked to the belief that painful equipment is necessary to control horses. He called for stronger enforcement and adoption of humane animal-management practices.
PETA India said it has been running a nationwide campaign to assist Animal Husbandry departments and police in enforcing the prohibition on spiked bits. According to the organisation, several states and Union Territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Nagaland, have issued orders for enforcement following its intervention.
The organisation is also seeking legislation to address a loophole that permits the manufacture and sale of these devices, even though their use on animals is prohibited.
PETA India further said that growing awareness about animal cruelty has encouraged some wedding parties to choose animal-free alternatives for baraats, including walking, travelling in cars and other modes of transport.
The seizure and display of the devices in Katra comes as authorities and animal-welfare groups seek stricter compliance with animal protection rules in areas where horses are used for tourism and commercial activities.
