THE Explosives Act forbids the sale of fireworks without a licence, and yet they are on sale in many places.
Since the act requires strict storage facilities, not selling to anyone under 16 and further restrictions, I am forced to conclude that, like most by-laws, they are hardly worth the paper they are written on. Who monitors this, and what are the penalties?
The setting off of fireworks requires a written application to the fire chief at least 30 days prior to use. I would like to know how many applications were actually received, and how many approved. I trust if permission is granted it includes a site visit that monitors for overhead pylons, proximity to schools, hospitals, old age homes and petrol stations.
My personal opinion is that of all the human amusements available, the sheer idiocy of deliberate noise pollution, terrorising animals, both domestic and wild, is beyond comprehension.
The costs to pet owners for tranquilisers, placing pets in kennels as far as possible from the source, veterinary fees et al, is an imposition that calls for compensation from the perpetrators.
Of course this will never happen as people will always find a thousand reasons for not doing something, than one reason to do what is right.
I suggest that all tourist businesses, holiday accommodation administrators, landlords, are required to inform their customers, guests etcetera that the fireworks by-law would forbid the use of fireworks unless an application has been approved by the fire chief and failure to do so would carry a penalty.
For the sake of all pets and wildlife please institute by-laws that are effective and monitored. Councillors can encourage a monitoring system, similar to neighbourhood watch, via their ward committees.
CANDY SEYMOUR
Uvongo
