Beauty without Cruelty and the undersigned would like to see a change to the Explosives Act banning all use of fireworks, all fireworks displays and the sales of fireworks due to the danger posed to both animals and humans.
Dogs, cats, and other companion animals don't understand the terrifying, loud bangs. Fireworks bring confusion, anxiety, fear, and blind panic to animals who, in an effort to escape the frightening detonations, can get into all sorts of trouble.
Dogs have responded to fireworks explosions by breaking through windows and are taken to shelters / care facilities with paws bloodied from running or torn skin from tearing through back yards, fences and shrubbery. Some are crippled or killed by cars. Guide dogs can be so terrorized by the explosions that they suffer severe emotional distress and are unable to assist their companions. After a loud bang, most birds fly away in fright, and nesting mothers of flocks sometimes cannot find their own nests upon return, endangering the well-being of nestlings.
Fireworks produce light, noise and air pollution. The explosions of fireworks also release poisonous chemicals and particle-laden smoke, which contaminate the environment. Wildlife living downwind from fireworks displays are exposed to the hazards of these contaminants, as are domesticated animals and humans with asthma.
Children have also suffered due to injuries caused by the indiscrimate selling and use of fireworks and people not adhering to rules and regulations.
We all therefore strongly urge the Minister of Safety and Security to take all of this into consideration and for the safety of our children, our four legged companions and our wildlife to BAN fireworks once and for all in South Africa.
Beauty without Cruelty and the undersigned would like to see a change to the Explosives Act banning all use of fireworks, all fireworks displays and the sales of fireworks due to the danger posed to both animals and humans.
Dogs, cats, and other companion animals don't understand the terrifying, loud bangs. Fireworks bring confusion, anxiety, fear, and blind panic to animals who, in an effort to escape the frightening detonations, can get into all sorts of trouble.
Dogs have responded to fireworks explosions by breaking through windows and are taken to shelters / care facilities with paws bloodied from running or torn skin from tearing through back yards, fences and shrubbery. Some are crippled or killed by cars. Guide dogs can be so terrorized by the explosions that they suffer severe emotional distress and are unable to assist their companions. After a loud bang, most birds fly away in fright, and nesting mothers of flocks sometimes cannot find their own nests upon return, endangering the well-being of nestlings.
Fireworks produce light, noise and air pollution. The explosions of fireworks also release poisonous chemicals and particle-laden smoke, which contaminate the environment. Wildlife living downwind from fireworks displays are exposed to the hazards of these contaminants, as are domesticated animals and humans with asthma.
Children have also suffered due to injuries caused by the indiscrimate selling and use of fireworks and people not adhering to rules and regulations.
We all therefore strongly urge the Minister of Safety and Security to take all of this into consideration and for the safety of our children, our four legged companions and our wildlife to BAN fireworks once and for all in South Africa.
