Anti-firework demonstrators to gather in uMhlanga

WITH several annual celebrations around the corner, animal rescue organisations, Ban Animal Trading (BAT) and Phoenix Animal Care and Treatment (PACT) are co-hosting an anti-firework demonstration on the lawns opposite uMhlanga’s Whalebone pier on Saturday, 31 October, from 9am until 12pm.

Umhlanga resident, Rose Darrall, who has worked as a SPCA volunteer for over 20 years, has been involved in organising the demonstration.

“I asked them to host the protest here in uMhlanga because of the issue we have with fireworks. Anyone is free to join as long as they adhere to Covid-19 protocols such as social distancing and wearing a mask. You can bring your own posters if you like, we will also have some posters for people to hold. The more people we have the better the impact will be,” she said.

Also read: WATCH: Heartbreak as rescued animals return to kennel after adoption day

Prathna Singh, director of BAT said there will be a series of protests following this one with another one on Sunday, two more next weekend and another two the following weekend. 

“BAT hosts demonstrations every year to raise awareness about the harm done by fireworks and the alternate ways to celebrate. This is not targeted at a specific celebration, but fireworks in general. There are a lot of reasons why people use fireworks throughout the year. Next week Thursday is Guy Fawkes, then it’s Diwali and then we’ve got New Year’s Eve and some people even use fireworks around Christmas,” she said.

Also read: Hundreds of stray animals admitted to SPCA over festive season

Neeri Naidoo of PACT said this is the busiest time of the year for animal rescue as fireworks impact both domestic and wild animals.  

“We see the horrors of fireworks. We do patrols, which means we are away from our families during celebrations. Only on the next day do we see the aftermath- animals with severe injuries, animals that have been lost and separated from their owners. It affects wildlife too, we even see birds lying dead under trees,” she said.  

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