Jammu, October 1: The Animal Husbandry Department (AHD), Jammu, in collaboration with PETA India, has seized 140 metal spiked bits allegedly used to control horses through pain during tourist rides and other activities in Katra and the Shiv Khori area of Reasi district.
According to an official handout, the devices were confiscated during an awareness-cum-enforcement drive aimed at preventing cruelty to horses used for tourism, transportation and other commercial activities.
The authorities said the spiked bits are designed to cause pain and injuries to the sensitive tissues inside animals’ mouths. Each seized bit was reportedly replaced with a smooth, painless bit.
The use of spiked bits on horses, mules and other draught and pack animals violates Rule 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965, the handout said.
Animal Husbandry Department Jammu Director Dr Yugal Kishore said tourism and other activities should not come at the expense of animal welfare. He described the use of spiked bits as a cruel practice 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 urged horse owners to switch to humane alternatives.
PETA India Senior Manager of Mechanisation Projects Mahesh Tyagi said the continued use of such devices was linked to the belief that painful equipment is necessary to control horses, and called for greater awareness and enforcement of the ban.
PETA India said it has been working with animal husbandry departments and police authorities across the country to enforce restrictions on the use of spiked bits and encourage humane alternatives.
The organisation has also appealed to tourists and the public to consider mechanised transportation and other animal-free alternatives for rides and tourism activities.
The department and PETA India said the campaign is aimed at increasing public awareness and encouraging tourism operators and authorities to prevent cruelty against horses.
