By Nityaasini Sivagami
7th FEBRUARY: As we celebrate holidays, special occasions, or simply enjoy the beauty of fireworks, it’s easy to forget that not everyone shares our excitement. During Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations, social media is frequently inundated with posters and notifications about lost pets. This is because fireworks drive the majority of the animals to take flight. Some are even killed when they are struck by a car. According to Edward Lim, shelter manager for the PAWS Animal Welfare Society, dog owners visit the shelter in search of their animals that had vanished following a fireworks display. “It is very unfortunate that many of them do not find their dogs at our shelter, but some do,” he said. – The Star
Due to their superior hearing, pets can sense sounds far louder than people. Firework noises are difficult for animals to understand since they are not only incredibly loud but also unpredictable. All of their (survival-) instincts advise them to flee to a secure location when they hear such noises because they link them with danger. Fireworks make noises that appear as dangerous as their blasts of light. Overall, the effect is similar to thunder and lightning during storms, but they last for a lot longer (up to 48 hours before and after the celebrations), which frequently causes animals to become afraid (astraphobia). The effect of fireworks can be significantly more intense and accompanied by smoke and strong odors because they are located closer to the ground than thunderstorms.
Section 24 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 allows for the handling of negligent owners, according to Dr. Saravanakumar Supramaniam Pillai, a member of the committee that drafted the law. The veterinarian, who retired as a senior deputy director of the Veterinary Services Department, stated that it is the responsibility of the owner to offer a secure environment for their dogs and to keep them safe. According to him, it may be used in the event that a third party files a complaint against someone who is seen to have failed to take the required precautions to keep their dogs safe.
Irene Low, director of Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB), cautioned pet owners to make sure their animals are securely fastened during festive times when pyrotechnics are being blasted. “Move them inside the house or make a secure alcove in a room with plenty of sheets and blankets, then shut the door.” Before igniting pyrotechnics, securely secure or cage any pets kept outdoors. “Please make sure your pets are properly secured before leaving the gates open,” she continued. Fireworks may represent happiness and celebration, but we also need to keep our pets in mind. They depend on us to keep them safe and to console them in trying times. Let’s remember our feathered, scaly, and furry pals the next time fireworks light up the sky, as stated in The Star.
