DESPITE varying views and regulations on fireworks, especially concerning New Year’s celebrations at beaches, the Amanzimtoti SPCA is relieved to report that there were no injuries.

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The animal shelter said that in an ideal situation, people would find alternatives to fireworks that would not have negative effects on humans, animals and the environment.

“We are very relieved as no known firework-related injuries were found or reported. We had minimum dogs come in with what could be firework-related issues but no call-outs,” said the SPCA’s Michelle Hannan.

She said they did note a decrease in fireworks and animals being brought in as strays, or even collected. “Perhaps the financial strain of last year had a role to play in this. We do, however, hope that the public is becoming more aware of the adverse effects that fireworks have,” said Hannan.

She added that many animals become so frightened by the noise and commotion of fireworks that they run from otherwise familiar environments and people and sadly become lost. “They can also hurt themselves by trying to get away from the noise. They may also suffer devastating or even fatal health effects from the stress,” said Hannan.

Ward 97 councillor and eThekwini Municipality executive committee member, André Beetge, reiterated that there had been no official display organised, funded or initiated by the municipality, by any other entity at Amanzimtoti, nor at any of the other beaches in the area.

He said that they’d only observed a very spontaneous display and an ‘unspoken tradition’.

Police presence could be seen during the New Year’s celebrations and firework displays at Amanzimtoti Main Beach. “Policing and enforcing has been impossible for longer than I care to remember, with enforcement directed towards individuals who get out of hand, as opposed to blanket enforcement. So long as it is done orderly and in alignment with the spirit of the moment, a degree of tolerance is facilitated,” said Beetge.

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He said it would be near impossible to eliminate fireworks in their totality. “The spontaneous gathering at the Amanzimtoti Main Beach, in particular, would not be discouraged as it serves to concentrate activities to one area which makes for better control, with trained medical staff in attendance, and eases on the clean-up operations,” said Beetge.

He said enforcement is all but impossible, as once the bang is gone, so is the evidence. “Given the number of residents in the area, the number of fireworks discharged irregularly, the number of people directly affected thereby, and the activities and tolerance associated with the celebrations, there would have to be evidence of a deliberate attempt to cause physical or emotional harm to an individual for the courts to secure a successful conviction,” said Beetge.

Before New Year’s Day, the National Council of SPCAs issued a statement advising pet owners to be proactive in preparing to protect their pets from the effects of fireworks while encouraging others to refrain from using fireworks.

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