AS Diwali and the festive season draws closer animal activists and animal lovers alike are gearing up for yet another year of panic and mayhem caused by the firework celebrations. Annually the festival of lights and New Year’s Ever celebrations have been marred by hundreds of incidents involving displaced and abused animals.
And now, Durban North resident, Cheryl Watson said that she has had enough of the senseless anguish, and hopes to educate the public on the law pertaining to the use, sale and control of fireworks namely the Explosives Act no 26 of 1956 as well as the nuisances bylaws M204 1994.
“To date the authorities have not been aware that the current use of bombs and screeching fireworks are unlawful and that the perpetrators could have been prosecuted. They also do not have the manpower to enforce the law either. Similarly the public also aren’t aware of their rights and what is mandated as illegal. Only if people report illegal activities and are prepared to lay charges will there be pressure to enforce the bylaws,” she said.
The bylaws
The current municipal by-laws permit residents to set off fireworks only on the day of celebration (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 have been banned.
Additionally the informal sale (i.e. hawkers, roadside or open-air sellers) of fireworks is illegal and should be reported. It is also illegal to remove fireworks from their packaging before being sold. Fireworks must be sold in their original packaging complete with warnings and instructions
The case from animal activists
According to Watson she and other animal lovers do not oppose the use of low-hazard fireworks for the annual celebrations, but strongly question and object to the use of the nuisance fireworks.
“We respect the religious freedoms that everyone in the country enjoys and we have nothing against the religious celebrations, but there needs to be mutual consideration and tolerance. I believe that by shooting the loud bombs people are violating other people’s rights and so doing are abusing their religious freedom,” she said.
What’s more, Watson said she was angered by the constant unsympathetic retort from firework enthusiasts to simply medicate animals during the celebrations.
“In some cases this isn’t possible as the animal’s health prohibits the use of tranquillisers and other drugs. And while these medications prevent them from freaking out externally there is no stopping the noise, which damages their ears, due to their acute hearing and causes internal trauma and panic. As per the SPCA dogs can hear 5 times more acutely than humans and cats twice as acutely as dogs. And what about the wild animals living in our surrounding areas?” she asked.
Watson has appealed to her fellow community members to report the use of nuisance fireworks, reporting the informal sale of fireworks among hawkers and street vendors, as well as promote the ban of the sale and import of nuisance fireworks.
“We are begging religious leaders to share messages of peace, urging all to use fireworks responsibly so that everyone can enjoy this time of the year without incident,” said Watson.
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