Let it be a festival of light – not sound

THE Richards Bay SPCA has issued a plea to City residents to adhere to City bylaws that ban fireworks being discharged without written permission to do so.

They are bracing themselves for Diwali celebrations taking place next week. Diwali, or Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in Spring.

The five-day festival, celebrated around the world by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains is an important date in the religious calendar, and one which is honoured with various traditions and events, including light displays and the lighting of candles, and it spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

In the past trauma was inflicted on pets and wildlife when a small percentage of those celebrating this meaningful holiday flouted City bylaws and discharged fireworks in residential areas.

City of uMhlathuze official bylaws state that residents may not discharge any fireworks where domesticated animals are present, or any public place without prior written permission from the Chief Fire Officer.

‘In the past we have attended tragic cases in which animals were stuck in burglar bars or caused injury to themselves by jumping through glass windows or over spiked fences to escape Diwali fireworks noises,’ she said.

‘One year we spent several hours rescuing a dog, which wedged itself in-between narrow walls, in a frantic attempt to escape the loud bangs of fireworks.

‘Firemen had no other alternative but to break a hole in the building closest to where the dog was trapped to safely remove it.

‘We find many dogs go missing during this period or run into the streets or traffic and are knocked by motorists.

‘It is not only domesticated animals which are affected by the loud bangs as some wild birds leave their nests and abandon their young,’ said Prinsloo.

She advised owners to stay with their pets and keep them indoors if the animal is sensitive by nature, and reminded owners not to give calming medication intended for humans to animals.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer