Pets still astray after big bangs

COUNTLESS dogs went missing in Richards Bay and Empangeni on New Year’s Eve when raucous fireworks filled the air with loud bangs from as early as 6pm.

Both Richards Bay and Empangeni SPCAs received an influx of phone calls from community members rescued petrified pets that went astray during the noisy night.

According to the SPCAs, dogs are still being brought into the animal welfare after neighbours find them aimlessly wandering the streets.

‘Two dogs have luckily been claimed so far,’ said Richards Bay SPCA Inspector, Shelly Prinsloo.

‘But we’re still expecting a lot more dogs to come in after getting numerous phone calls from rescuers.

‘Fortunately, we have not seen any cases where dogs have been injured.

‘We urge anyone who has picked up a dog or has any pets gone missing to please bring in the animal or come look for your animal at your local SPCA.’

Empangeni SPCA Manager, Cheryl Whittaker said they had four vehicles patrolling the streets till 2am on New Year’s, but the SPCA ‘simply cannot be everywhere all the time’.

‘All pet owners must ensure they have collars and tags on their animals so we can identify them and get them home.

‘The SPCA is open 24 hours a day and we will take in any animals found astray.

‘We have also extended the seven day impound period, knowing that people go away and may not yet be aware their pets are missing.’

Fireworks fatalities

Although there have been no animal injuries reported to the SPCAs, Prinsloo says big bangs and New Year parties almost always lead to indirect, if not direct, fatalities.

‘Wild animals get extremely anxious by the noise and birds often fly away from their nests to escape the blasts, leaving their dependent babies behind.

‘Not to mention how all the debris left from the New Year’s bashes get ingested by wild animals and poisons them.’

One Veldenvlei resident nearly lost her Staffie after he, panic-stricken by the bangs, ate through an electrical cable on Wednesday night.

‘I would have been devastated if he was electrocuted while we quickly popped out for dinner,’ said Pat Greyling.