Some zoophilists (animal lovers) dread the festive season, especially as Christmas and New Year draw nearer. This is when the “annual illegal noise and consequent animal terror” also occurs.
Every year, different cultures across the world light various fireworks as part of their celebrations. Whether it’s for Diwali, Christmas or New Year, the skies are illuminated in all sorts of colours. This may be fun to do and beautiful to see, but it is very harmful to animals, both domestic and in the wild.
Errol van Niekerk, the manager at Potchefstroom Animal Welfare Society (Paws), says cats and dogs have very sensitive hearing. The bang of the lit firecrackers is too loud for the animals. As a result, they start panicking. The fear, anxiety and stress instilled in them lead to abnormal behaviour. They could get caught between burglar bars or run into the streets, which puts them at risk of being hit by traffic. “They can also break through windows if they’re in a house. It’s sometimes hectic. Animals often hurt themselves when they try and break through fences,” says Van Niekerk.
On the evening of 31 December, Paws has a vet on duty, as per usual. From 23:00, the staff and volunteers go into the streets and look for animals that may have been injured as a result of the fireworks. “From 23:00 to 03:00, we run around, saving animals that are stuck in fences or hit by cars. We either pick up their bodies or stitch them up,” he says.
Another staff member says the animals go through unnecessary pain. The shelter is full of stray/lost dogs who bolt in reaction to the fireworks.
There are laws against this practice. According to the Western Cape Government, Section 30 of the Explosives Act of 1956 states that you may not set off fireworks in public places like parks, pavements or streets. Neither may you set them off within 200 metres of a hospital, clinic, old-aged home, nursing home, animal welfare organisation or petrol station. You may not point or direct fireworks towards people, animals, cars or buildings.”
Darren Kruger, the Paws chair person, sent a post addressed to the executive mayor, requesting him to remind people of the laws that have been put in place to protect animals, especially during the festive season. “This is a desperate plea for you (executive mayor) to apply, and remind everybody of, the laws against animal abuse and cruelty, which, among many others, very sadly, is caused by fireworks. Year after year, many animal lovers are willing to sacrifice their time away from their loved ones to help and try to prevent deaths and injuries to our dearest and best friends, our loyal and loving animals. Not just during the festive season but every second of every day of the year,” Kruger said.
Cecilia Marais, the spokesperson for Paws advises animal owners to research ways to comfort their animals if they are affected by the sound of the fireworks.
