SHOCKING stories have emerged of both animals and children suffering from the loud bangs let off during New Year celebrations.
Members of the South Coast community took to social media to express their anger and outrage regarding the ear-piecing bangs that left animals traumatised.
Even days after the New Year celebrations, crackers were heard exploding around neighbourhoods.
Many heartbreaking stories have sent shockwaves through the community.
It was reported that a dog was so badly traumatised it actually popped an eye and another dog, which went into labour, was so frightened that she ran across a road and was killed, together with her unborn puppies.
Another man said he and his wife spent their evening comforting and covering the ears of their autistic children.
Michael Muller, manager of the Lower South Coast SPCA, said the 2014 season was rather a busy one. “At least we did not have too many serious injuries and the numbers are better than the previous year.”
He said that the only reported injury was a dog stuck in burglar bars which Dr Leon Bruggeman treated during the early hours of January 1.
The LSC SPCA collected 39 animals during the New Year period. Only 21 animals were claimed.
Of the 15 animals reported missing, five are reported to have been found.
Although there was a lot of firework activity, Mr Muller said that he personally thought that the wet weather helped curb the use of fireworks.
“If we base it on the total of 54 animals reported missing and animals collected, we have seen a 34 percent decrease in the number from the 2013 period, which was 81 animals,” he said.
Mr Muller hoped unclaimed pets would be collected and appealed for pet owners to visit the SPCA if they have lost pets.
Simon Soboyisa-April, spokesman for Hibiscus Coast Municipality (HCM), said that their control room records showed that no calls were received complaining about loud bangs.
He said the municipality had initially intended to review its by-laws. However, it was decided that this will only happen after the new municipality – the merger of Hibiscus Coast and Ezinqoleni – has been formed.
Mr April also pointed out that a joint operation was conducted by HCM Law Enforcement and SAPS from October, when premises of those selling fireworks were inspected.
“It was established that most premises or businesses were compliant and, where it was found otherwise, notices were issued,” he said.
