Haldwani: PETA India Displays Over 100 Spiked Bit Weapons Seized From Horse Owners With Animal Husbandry Department Support

In a compassionate initiative to protect horses and other equines used for transporting goods and those used for weddings, PETA India, in collaboration with the Kumaon division Animal Husbandry Department, seized over 100 spiked bit weapons that were in use to control equines in the city. Spiked (or “thorn”) bits – commonly used to control horses and mules – are deliberately designed to cut into the sensitive mouths of animals. They are illegal, but commonly used, and were replaced with smooth bits by PETA India.

These torture devices were put on display at the Government Veterinary Hospital, Haldwani on 17 May 2025 to raise public awareness and to encourage the public to consider non-animal means like vintage cars for weddings and tractors and rickshaws to transport goods. The use of spiked bits violates Rule 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965.

Whether used in weddings or to carry goods, horses and mules suffer immensely as spiked bits tear into their lips and tongues. We are grateful to Shri Ramesh Singh Nitwal, Director of the Animal Husbandry Department of Kumaon division, for his collaboration in this vital initiative to protect horses and mules and to promote compliance with the law. We urge the public to consider modern means like tractors and rickshaws to transport goods and vintage style cars or other creative non-animal means for weddings.

The outreach programme targeted horse and mule owners operating in hilly regions and marketplaces. They were educated on the physical and psychological damage caused to equines by spiked bits. A local animal welfare organisation, Stray Animals Help and Rescue Angels (SAHARA) had flagged extensive use of spiked bits in the equines.

PETA India has launched a nationwide campaign against the use of spiked bits on equines. We are encouraging state departments, police and local communities across India to raise awareness, replace cruel devices, and adopt humane alternatives. After being contacted by PETA India, several states and union territories – including Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Nagaland – issued letters to prohibit the manufacture, trade, and use of spiked bits. PETA India is also campaigning for legislation to be introduced to close a loophole that still allows the manufacture and sale of these torture devices.

Help Put an End to The Use of Illegal Spiked Bits on Horses!