Racist fireworks posts raise ire
Diwali was used as an opportunity to deploy explosive-style fireworks
The fireworks season started with a bang this weekend, with an equal uproar among angered animal lovers who were outraged at the use of big bang type crackers and Diwali devotees who were outraged by the level of racial and religious vitriol targeting them on social media.
Pet owners took to social media to express their displeasure towards the use of ‘big bang’ type fireworks, some describing the loud explosions as a war zone in parts of the Bluff, Montclair and Woodlands during the weekend. Diwali, which was celebrated this weekend, is a celebration of light and life, however some used the religious event as an opportunity to deploy explosive-style fireworks, raising the ire of fellow residents.
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Several reports of missing and injured animals caused concern and the unrelenting blasts raised the hackles of many pet owners. A Facebook user commented that even though she took precautions to keep her pets safe, the magnitude of the loud bangs still stressed them out. “They began to fight among each other because of the stress caused by the explosions,” she said on Yellowwood Park Community Chat.
A Montclair resident who chose not to be named said when she asked her neighbours to ease off the fireworks, her request was met with hostility. “They told us we were ruining their night of festivities and we must get the hell out. He said they don’t complain when we have fireworks for New Year. I informed him we don’t believe in fireworks as we love animals,” she said.
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Diwali devotee, Shereen Maharaj said the whole concept of Diwali is marred by the big bangs and she encourages the use of quiet, colourful firework displays. “I hate the loud fireworks and I don’t agree with it. My dog ran away because of the noise and was missing for three days. It is also dangerous and I know people who have lost body parts from these fireworks,” she said. She explains that Diwali is about lighting lamps and lights which symbolises the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair. “It’s a beautiful tradition which can do without the big and loud fireworks. It also unfair that people blame Diwali and Hindus when there are others who are lighting fireworks just for the fun of it,” said Maharaj.
Another devotee was left disgusted after reading racist comments posted on Facebook. “Some have no respect for this festival. Don’t rename an auspicious festival the festival of noise, it is really degrading because some Hindus, including myself, make an effort to not bust loud crackers for the sake of your animals. It happens every single year, everyone bashes us during Diwali, but during New Year’s and Guy Fawkes no one has anything to say, at least not to this extent. “Instead of targeting Diwali every year, target the stores that are importing cheap explosions, that are bought and used for many occasions,” added Raithi Govender.
A particularly racially charged comment posted on the Gatvol Bluff Facebook page at the weekend elicited hundreds of comments and an almost equal number of shares.
The person who posted it on Monday issued an apology, which in itself was the subject of many comments.
According to the newly implemented nuisance by-laws, no person in a public place may cause or permit to be caused any disturbance or impairment of the convenience or peace of any person by shouting, screaming or making any other loud or persistent noise or sound, including amplified noise or sound. No person may cause any disturbance or impairment of the convenience or peace of any person from Sunday to Thursday, between 9.30pm and 7am; and from Friday to Saturday, between midnight and 8am.
A sub-section related to general prohibitions and nuisance behaviour, no person may discharge fireworks in a public place except in accordance with the bylaws of the municipality dealing with fire and other applicable laws.
Citing the laws, residents reported the loud bangs to Metro Police but were told it is not illegal. Brenda Viljoen said she called and was told no-one was at work so no vehicle could be sent to investigate. “My dogs were terrified, even while on medication from the vet,” she added.
Another resident said: “My dogs were scared even with meds. It is supposed to be the festival of light not big bangs. Some of those fireworks sounded like C4 detonating. I also called Metro as, at 1am on Sunday morning, they were still shooting fireworks in Isleworth Avenue and Nagle Square, only to be told there were no vehicles available at the time.”
While pet owners heeded warnings to safeguard their animals during the fireworks season, even with precautions in place and medication administered, this failed to entirely dampen the impact on pets, since the sounds of explosions could not be muffled out.
Purina dog behavior scientist Ragen TS McGowan wrote in an article that a dog’s acute hearing makes him more sensitive to the sounds of fireworks than humans. “Fireworks also produce an odour that dogs may be sensitive to. During fireworks, your dog experiences the same kind of startled response you do when you’re surprised by a loud noise. This may mean an increase in heart rate, a rush of adrenaline, and an increase in stress hormones circulating through the body,” said McGowan. (Read more HERE)
Fireworks affect all animals, according to CROW. It disorientates birds, making them fly into trees or structures; land-based animals often run into roads in fear and get hit by cars, while scavenging animals sometimes swallow firework parts and die.
“Over the years we’ve seen a spike in admissions directly after a night of fireworks, resulting in baby animals being unnecessarily orphaned. This is particularly common among nesting birds and small mammals,” said CROW director, Paul Hoyte.
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Durban and Coast SPCA spokesman, Lindsey Concer confirmed three of 27 dogs reported missing were from the Bluff over the weekend. “Fireworks can be traumatic for our pets. Their hearing is much more sensitive than ours and they do not understand what fireworks are, so you can imagine how panicked they must feel.We hope, like most animal lovers do, that people consider the trauma they cause to many animals with their fireworks, and consider if it is really worth it,” added Concer
Deputy mayor, councillor, Fawzia Peer said in an opening ceremony for the Diwali Shopping Festival on Sunday, 9 October: “I wish to remind you to use fireworks responsibly, be considerate of your neighbours and animals. Also dispose of fireworks appropriately and ensure that children handle fireworks under adult supervision.”
How to keep your pets safe during the fireworks season:
- Keep them indoors in a familiar room
- Close the windows and curtains
- Have the TV or radio on to muffle the sound
- Stay in the room with them and act normally, our pets react to our emotions, so if you are calm, they will feel calm
- Give them something to do, such as a chewy bone to munch on or catnip toys for cats
- Get a herbal calming
medication for your pet (most effective when started a week prior to the
expected fireworks, available to purchase at your local SPCA or Vet) - Have them microchipped
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