PANJIM: The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has directed all its assistant directors and veterinary officers to comply with the advisory issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India to prohibit the sale, manufacture, and trade of spiked bits to stop their illegal use.
In a circular, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Dr Agostinho Misquita, said, “A per Rule 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965, framed under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, prohibits the use of “any spiked stick or bit, harness or yoke with spikes, knobs or projections or any sharp tackle or equipment.”
In view of the above circular, the assistant directors, veterinary officers of the department have been asked to immediately comply and prohibit the use, sale, manufacture and trade of illegal spiked bits.
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) had also issued a circular way back in July 2014 to impose ban on trading, manufacture and possession of spiked/thorn bits. Spiked bits are commonly used to control horses used for weddings, rides, hauling carriages, and lugging goods.”
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India had also appealed to all States to prohibit the sale, manufacture, and trade of spiked bits.
