Ankus/Ankush question

[Stan S.]

Here is an Indian elephant goad (Ankus) I recently purchased. While not a weapon per se, these could be used mush like a warhammer to deliver a nasty skull-piercing blow. So I suppose it can be discused here

As you can see this is a purely utiletarian piece without any imbelishments. Therefore I assume that every part of it is designed to be usefull in some way. I know that the downcurved hook is what drives an elephant, and a straight spike is used as a kill-switch of sorts - if the elephant panics and becomes violent, mahaut could drive it between the neck vertibrae with a small mallet (a rarely discussed piece of equipment carried by most "elephant drivers") to severe the spine. But what is the purpose of a small up-curved hook often seen on many ankuses including thsi one (circled in red)? The only guess that I would dare to venture is that when when ankus is tucked under a belt/sash in an upright position, the little hook catches to the bottom of the belt, which prevents it from sliding over the top. What are your thoughts on this?