New Year’s celebrations a nightmare for animals and humans

The start to the year was not a happy occasion for many, and little thought was given to animals as well as fellow residents as some people went all out to celebrate the new year with fireworks.

The Brakpan SPCA was on standby and patrolling the streets of Brakpan on New Year’s Eve and to their dismay, fireworks were worse than most previous years.

“We fail to understand how so many residents still choose a method of terror as a symbol of celebration, as there has been so much education and opposition in the media with regards to the use of fireworks,” said Sanette Bosman, chairperson of the Brakpan SPCA committee.

“Over the course of the evening, the Brakpan SPCA answered and responded to calls including a dog with an injured paw, a cat trapped in a chimney and a dog in the township with a broken pelvis that was struck by a vehicle while it was trying to escape from the fireworks displays and noise,” said Bosman.

“A badly injured Jack Russell with a part of his chest torn open is currently receiving treatment at a vet and an operation will have to be performed to save his life at a huge cost to the SPCA, as no owners have come forward to enquire about him. The animal was found and brought to the SPCA.

Also read: Follow these easy steps to adopt an animal from the Brakpan SPCA

“Four scared animals were collected up to 2.30am when the staff and committee members closed for the night.

“However, the impact of the celebrations became evident over the following days, with over 30 missing animals being reported and 45 stray dogs and cats being handled by the society,” said Bosman.

“The pure terror and anguish experienced by animals and humans alike, due to the use of fireworks, are clear, yet the sales and purchase thereof continues.

“We would like to see a total ban on the import, sale and use of fireworks before the next celebrations this coming year.

“Where the use of fireworks are imminent, we hope to deliver a signed petition to our local authorities for consideration before the issuing of firework sale permits, to ensure the enforcement of the Explosives Act No 26 of 1956 and request a proactive plan from law enforcement with regards to the use of fireworks by residents.

“We simply cannot stand by and watch the trauma continue only to be reactive after the damage has been done.

“A positive change is due now and we need the public’s support to ensure we speak for those cannot speak for themselves,” said Bosman.

Unfortunately, the trauma caused by the fireworks was not limited to petrified animals.

Bernadine Durant Vos, an employee at the San Michelle Home for the intellectually and physically challenged, commented on the effect the celebrations had on the residents.

“At least two patients suffered from the effects caused by fireworks and left personnel struggling to get the patients stable as the noise continued,” said Durant Vos.

“Quite a few other patients were scared and traumatised as they don’t understand the reason behind the loud bangs from crackers and noisy fireworks,” she added.

AfriForum Brakpan and Saints Network also experienced first-hand the trauma caused by fireworks in the community as volunteers were patrolling on New Year’s Eve.

“Although AfriForum Brakpan took a proactive approach by means of local social media postings about the distress caused to animals and vulnerable members of society, it did not seem to help much,” said Drummond Doig, AfriForum Brakpan’s vice chairperson and Saints Network Emergency First-Aid responder.

“We had patrollers on the streets, especially in the town centre and reported the illegal sales of fireworks to Metro and SAPS. We also assisted the Brakpan SPCA where possible.

“It was ultimately to no avail as the setting off of fireworks continued mercilessly,” added Doig.

“I did not appreciate having bomb crackers thrown at me as I attempted to ask people to move the impromptu fireworks displays away from pet shops along Voortrekker Road.”

Also read: AfriForum buurtwagte weer op hul pos

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or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za

 or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za

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