Patrols to police New Year’s Eve

IN just two days, Zululanders will be ushering in 2017 with a bang.

But there are strict laws to prevent the abuse and misuse of fireworks, and both city and animal welfare authorities will be scouring the streets to ensure they are obeyed

‘We urge all citizens to comply with the bylaws, because they are there to ensure safety of people, animals and properties against injury, trauma and destruction,’ said City Communications Manager, Mdu Ncalane.

‘As the city, we want everyone to enjoy the year-end moment in peace and with respect for others. ‘Our public safety officers will be scattered all over to ensure compliance and attend to complaints.’

According to the city’s bylaws, consumer or recreational fireworks must be discharged in designated open spaces at least 500 metres from any explosives factory, explosives storage place, petrol depot and petrol station, and not near any old age facilities and animal shelters.

Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to buy or discharge fireworks.

Fireworks may only be detonated from 11.45pm on December 31 of each year until 12.15am of the New Year.

And it is unlawful to set off fireworks and crackers on any street, or for a person to point or direct a firework at any person, animal, building or motor vehicle.

No fireworks may be discharged during a wind storm in which the wind reaches a velocity of more than 50 km/hour.
If the rules are violated, an authorised or peace officer of the municipality may seize fireworks and shall dispose them without compensation.

Keep pets in check

To protect pets, SPCA Richards Bay and Empangeni inspectors Shelly Prinsloo and Roland Fivaz shared some ‘sound’ tips.

‘First and foremost, ensure all pets have identification tags on them or microchips so we can easily locate their owners,’ said Prinsloo.

‘Pet owners can purchase calming tablets from their local vets.

‘It is best to stay at home with them and keep an eye on them.

‘It also helps to put them in a dark room with no low windows that they can escape through, and to play calming music to help relax them.’

Fivaz added that domestic animals are not the only victims traumatised by loud bangs.
‘Our wildlife suffers too.

‘Birds get a fright and leave their babies in the nest.

‘Animals like mongoose take a huge knock and run blindly, often injuring themselves.

‘Residents living on or near any greenbelts need to understand this before they set off fireworks from their yards.

‘Even at the waterfront, the noise relays and vibrates through the water, distressing marine life.’

The SPCAs will patrol Richards Bay and Empangeni until 3am on New Year’s Day.

‘If your pet went missing, please do contact us, but not before 9am after our late-night patrols,’ Fivaz said.