Fiery celebrations prohibited by law

MBOMBELA – To animal lovers’ delight, no fireworks were lit during Guy Fawkes Day this year. However, New Year’s Eve (NYE) is around the corner and illegal firework trading is increasing, causing pet owners and public officials to worry.

DA Cllr Jo Koster of Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM), says illegal firework trading in the city is indeed a problem. “They can only be sold in registered shops and have to be kept in a separate warehouse. Fireworks are not allowed to be advertised along with any other product, like placing them on a counter next to chocolates.”

Capt Paul Roodt, chief inspector of explosives of the SAPS, says the Explosives Act states that fireworks can only be sold by licensed vendors who have a registered shop.

MLM is currently training 12 officials to handle by-law implementation, including the national law on fireworks. “They are legal at organised events, with the necessary safety measures and at least one person to be held accountable,” says Koster. “We have to respect certain religions and their traditional use of fireworks, like the Hindu practice of setting off fireworks for Diwali, but this happens under controlled conditions.”

Koster adds that Guy Fawkes Day is not as important in South Africa, but NYE is a big problem. “Fireworks are set off at will in residential areas. This is illegal and causes animals to panic and run away.”

Ms Shan Paton, trainee inspector of Lowveld SPCA, says their biggest problem is the illegality of most fireworks. “Most people who sell them do not have a permit to do so,” says Paton. “Sometimes they sell it from the boot of the car, one by one, like cigarettes. They don’t care to set them off in residential areas and then we sit with plenty of lost or injured animals.”

“Most people who shoot fireworks in residential areas are either unaware that it is illegal or they just don’t care,” says founder of Pro-Life Pet Rescue, Ms Karin Erasmus. “It’s terrifying.” She says some people still don’t understand the severity of it all. “The high-pitched sound of fireworks pierce through their ears as if it is right next to them.”

Erasmus suggests feeding pets calming aids, keeping them indoors and playing music to drown out the loud noises.

During the festive season Van Wijk Street Animal Hospital veterinarian, Mr Chris Nortjé, prescribes calming pills and collars which release calming hormones to pets.

“Not all dogs are scared of fireworks. Those who are not, should just be left alone and the owner should pretend nothing is wrong.”

Nortjé says administering calming aids to pets will indeed prohibit them from jumping through windows, as has happened in the past, but it does not take away the anxiety. “The dogs will seem calm and sometimes drowsy, but the sound is still painful and makes them anxious.”

Don’t leave the house, keep dogs indoors and close all doors and windows to reduce the noise, is his advice.