STOP MUNICIPAL FIREWORKS DISPLAYS

  • by: BAN ANIMAL TRADING
  • recipient: Mayor of City of Joburg, Mayor of Tshwane, Mayor of Ekurhuleni

The goal is to implore the Mayors of the City of Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni to put a stop to the planned municipal fireworks displays on New Year's Eve.
Ban Animal Trading is an animal rights NPO and advocacy group and is concerned about the effect these fireworks displays will have on animals;  both domestic and farm animals, and our abundant urban wildlife.

UPDATE : Ekurhuleni event has been prohibited thanks to a court interdict obtained by Kempton Park SPCA, assisted by Ward Councillor Simon Lapping!!!

FIREWORKS


#BantheBang #BanFireworks #JoburgNYE #YFM #CityofJoburg #TshwaneNYE #EkurhuleniNYE


We implore the Mayors of the City of Joburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni to stop the fireworks displays at the planned municipal events scheduled for New Year's Eve at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Church Square in Tshwane, and Dries Niemand in Kempton Park. We are deeply disappointed that no public consultation was held, and that such displays were even considered given overwhelming evidence of the damage caused by fireworks; environmental and noise pollution, health and safety concerns, and damage caused to animals; domestic pets, farm animals and urban wildlife, often resulting in death or displacement (see below our recently published article in the Fourways Review).


In addition to the obvious dangers, and the burden that will befall local SPCA's and animal shelters, public funding of such activities could most certainly be more constructively employed.


Public policing of existing bylaws surrounding the use of fireworks at these times are difficult to implement, and we request you to kindly lead by example and put a stop these public fireworks displays.


We request our supporters and concerned citizens to sign this petition, and to comment on the Municipal public pages.


https://www.facebook.com/events/1210714282349584/?active_tab=discussion


https://www.facebook.com/CityofJoburg/?ref=ts&fref=ts


https://www.facebook.com/CityOfEkurhuleni/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf


https://www.facebook.com/CityOfTshwane/?ref=br_rs


ARTICLE IN THE FOURWAYS REVIEW OUTLINING THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE USE OF FIREWORKS


With the festive season upon us, Ban Animal Trading urges you, the reader, to make the compassionate decision to celebrate this time with the joy it deserves, and without the cruelty that goes hand-in-hand with the use of fireworks.


In celebrating our own enjoyment of the festive season with bangs and showers of explosions, far too many of us tend to overlook or ignore the helpless souls who live among us: the animals. Our dogs, cats, birds, and other pets celebrate the festive season with us and suffer immensely under the assault of fireworks and crackers. Year after year, bigger and louder fireworks are illegally brought into and sold in this country. Importers try to outdo each other, selling to the public in ever greater numbers and often in flagrant violation of the provisions of the Explosives Act. Yet at what cost? Our poor animals pay the price.


When one considers that animals have a more acute sense of hearing than humans, and react to sounds that are inaudible to humans, is it any wonder that they go crazy trying to escape the onslaught of noise caused by fireworks and crackers? Baby birds are scared into jumping out of nests and thousands of wild animals are displaced because of the stress and fear caused by fireworks. Dogs and cats break chains, jump fences (often impaling themselves in the process), squeeze through impossible openings, and lose their homes in their terrified attempts to escape the auditory assault on them. More often than not, the truly unfortunate innocents are caught in actual explosions and severely injured and killed; if not by the fireworks themselves, then by cars as they run lost and terrified in our streets. Most never find their way back home.


Is this truly the permanent price they must pay for a few hours of ‘entertainment’? We urge you not to support this outdated practice and to know, understand and, most importantly, enforce your rights relating to the use of fireworks.


All explosives are governed by the Explosives Act 26 of 1956 read with the applicable Regulations. The most important provisions of the Regulations are as follows:


10.34. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or explode any fireworks: Within 500 metres of where explosives are stored, explosives factory, petroleum depot, or gasometer In any building or on any public thoroughfare In any public place or resort, except with the prior written permission of the local authority.


10.35. No person shall operate a public display of fireworks on any premises without the written permission of the Chief Inspector of Explosives.


10.35. Such permission shall stipulate the conditions to be complied with and non-compliance with any of these conditions shall constitute an offense under this regulation.


10.36. Application for permission to operate a public display of fireworks shall be made in writing and shall set forth. The name of the person or organisation sponsoring the display together with the names of the persons actually in charge of the firing of the display who shall be at least 18 years of age and competent for the work The date and time of day at which the display is to be held The exact location planned for the display A description setting forth the age and qualifications of the persons who are to do the actual discharging of the fireworks The number and kind of fireworks to be discharged and the value of the display The manner and place of storage of such fireworks prior to the display A diagram of the grounds on which the display is to be held showing: 1 The point at which the fireworks are to be discharged, which shall be at least 100 metres from the nearest building, road or railway, and at least 20 metres from the nearest telephone, telegraph or powerline, tree or other overhead obstruction. 2 The direction in which aerial fireworks, if any, are to be fired The area to be kept clear of persons which shall extend at least 50 metres from the front and to the sides of the point at which the fireworks are to be discharged. 1. The area to be kept clear on which falling residue from aerial fireworks is expected to drop, which shall extend for at least 100 metres to the rear of the firing point. 2. The location of all buildings and roads within 200 metres of the firing site and of all trees, telegraph or telephone lines or other overhead obstructions at or adjacent to the firing site.


10.37. At a public display of fireworks it shall be an offense for any person willfully to enter on or remain in that area reserved for receiving falling residue from aerial fireworks.


Ban Animal Trading urges you to take a proactive stance against the use of fireworks by:


Asking for a meeting with any company or organisation that plans to have a fireworks event


Making sure all their permits are in order


Contacting the councillor in the ward in which the fireworks event is to be held and to ask for assistance


Getting the community involved and educating them on the dangers and consequences of the use of fireworks


Sharing information on social media so that people can object


Contacting the Metro police in the area. It is their duty to police and enforce the bylaws Being an advocate for animals.


Advise your friends and family about the real cruelty of fireworks.


http://fourwaysreview.co.za/250915/fireworks-beauty-in-the-sky-terror-on-the-ground/


Sincerely Ban Animal Trading South Africa

Update #17 years ago
VICTORY FOR THE ANIMALS!!!
Kempton Park SPCA and Ward Councillor Simon Lapping obtained a court interdict preventing Ekurhuleni from proceeding with the planned fireworks display.
The Joburg and Tshwane events are however still going ahead, so please continue to share this petition.
Thank you for your support.
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