Delhi Police and PETA India Displayed Over 100 Seized Spiked Bits Used to Control Horses in Weddings

With wedding plans skyrocketing as COVID-19 restrictions ease, Delhi police, following a complaint by PETA India, seized over 100 spiked (or “thorn”) bits used to control horses in ceremonies in recent raids throughout the city. These torture devices were put on display at the Rajouri Garden police station on 29 April. PETA India hopes the display will encourage families to celebrate weddings without involving animals. The use of spiked bits – which are designed deliberately to incise animals’ mouths – violates Rule 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965.

PETA India has launched a nationwide campaign aimed at helping police enforce the ban on using spiked bits on horses based on the results of a multi-state survey of government efforts to enforce the ban. After being contacted by PETA India, several other states and union territories – including Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh – also issued orders mandating the enforcement of this prohibition. PETA India is campaigning not only for police to search for and confiscate the illegally used devices but also for legislation to be introduced to close a loophole that still allows the manufacture and sale of these devices.