Animal owners brace for Diwali

WITH Diwali being celebrated this week, animal owners in the north of Durban area are bracing for a troublesome period. 
The festival of lights, celebrated annually by Hindus around the world, has been marred by incidents of animals not only being displaced, but also acts of blatant animal cruelty. 
The city, in a bid to curb the rampant use of loud bangs that send dogs and cats with an acute sense of hearing into a frenzy, has urged residents to use fireworks responsibly and to follow the municipal bylaws. 
The Mayor, cllr James Nxumalo said last week that citizens should “embrace and celebrate” their cultural heritage and diversity, but to do so while being considerate of animals and their neighbours. 
The current municipal bylaws permit residents to set off fireworks only on the day of Diwali (until 10pm), along with several conditions. Residents are allowed to light low-hazard fireworks, such as sparklers and fountains at their private residence, but ‘noisy’ or ‘nuisance’ fireworks, such as air bombs, fountain whistles and screeches, that cause fear and disturbance are banned. 
Despite the regulations, animal rescue organisations have also prepared to tackle the terror and devastation animals will experience when the festival of lights take off on Thursday, 23 October. 
Senior Superintendent Eugene Msomi said that police would be deploying additional officers to problem areas to enforce the bylaws. 

Fireworks and its affect on animals
According to Caroline Smith, of the Durban and Coast SPCA, domestic animals rely on their sense of hearing to detect danger and communicate; therefore they hear a much louder range of sounds than humans. “This means that sounds are much louder to them, than they are to human beings. What sounds like a bang to us sounds like an explosion to them,” she said. 
She also explained that the effects of fireworks extend beyond domestic animals, and that wild animal, such as monkeys and small reptiles can all be affected. 
“The fireworks create such distress that some pets scratch their paws raw, jump through windows and even, get hooked on fences,” said Dr Renade Bartlett, of  Ashburne Vet Clinic. 
“Staffies and Jack Russells are predisposed to be more neurotic and frightened by fireworks. We tend to see more of those being affected than any other breeds,” added Bartlett. 
Smith warned that the SPCA would take legal action against any individual found to abuse or neglect animals. “If found guilty, the perpetrator could face up to three years imprisonment and/or a fine of R60 000,” she said. 

Tips for pet owners: 
-Ensure that your pets are indoors
-It is suggested that the pet owners remain at home during fireworks activity
-If, however, they are unable to do so, they should book a boarding kennel or arrange for a house sitter
-Switch on the radio or television to drown out the noise
-Owners should behave normal
-Feed your pet a nice warm meal a few hours before the fireworks are set to start. A full tummy will have it feeling happy and sleepy
-Take your pet for a walk to tire him or her out
-Ensure that your pet has adequate identification, such as a collar or microchip ID, incase he or she gets lost 
-Homeopathic and sedative drugs can be given to animals who are especially terrified by fireworks
-It is suggested that pet owners take their pets to the vet for a consult before attempting to use sedatives
-Owners can also take their dogs for training to desensitize them to noises