Cops, PETA display 50 spiked bits used to control horses

Delhi Police and the animal rights Organisation- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Tuesday displayed over 50 seized metallic bits that were used to control the horses during the wedding celebrations or recreational rides.

The PETA India in association with the Delhi Police is running an awareness campaign for the past one month to highlight the plight of horses, especially those which are used during celebrations, like weddings. As part of their awareness drive, the PETA India requested to end the use of these spiked bits. These sharp devices are inserted in the mouth of a horse to control it during weddings or rides.

“With the help of police, 52 spiked bits were seized. These bits are used to control horses during weddings and rides despite being prohibited under Rule 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965,” a PETA representative told reporters.

According to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, no person shall, for the purpose of driving or riding an animal or causing it to draw any vehicle or for otherwise controlling it, use any spiked stick or bit, harness or yoke with spikes, knobs or -projections or any other sharp tackle or equipment which causes or is likely to cause bruises, swellings, abrasions or severe pain to the animal.

“These spiked bits rip horses' lips and tongues, causing them extreme pain, bloody wounds, immense psychological trauma and lifelong damage”, PETA India's CEO and equine expert Manilal Valliyate said in a statement.

Out of the 52 spiked bits, 29 were seized from the weddings held in the West Delhi's Moti Nagar area which has been displayed by the Delhi Police outside the Moti Nagar Police station.

These spiked bits are easily available in Delhi's Chawri Bazar and Sadar Bazar area. They are also available on a big e-commerce site. The PETA India has written to the site's owner to remove the device from its list, the PETA official said.