The plight to ban fireworks continues
WELTEVDREDEN PARK — The plight to ban fireworks is gaining momentum and is set to spread across the country.
Taryn Coghlan’s campaign to ban fireworks has received more than 12 000 signatures since it was started three months ago.
Coghlan said she was flooded with emails of people in support of the campaign, who also shared what fireworks have done to them and their animals. Coghlan adds that after what happened to her owls last year in December, she knew that enough was enough.
“I had two owls in my garden last year and the fireworks around the residential area got so bad, it was like a war zone,” continued Coghlan. “My owls got very frightened and they flew away. It is not just animals, children often get hurt because of fireworks and people use them when they are drunk.”
The Ban Fireworks Campaign has attracted attention as far as Cape Town and Durban. Coghlan has had meetings with ratepayers’ associations, security companies and ward councillors in getting support and driving the campaign forward.
She is aiming to get 20 000 signatures, not just for the banning of fireworks, but also the illegal selling of the merchandise. “All the people that write in to us support the cause and have signed their pledge to ban fireworks. I can say that less than one per cent of the emails we received were against our campaign,” added Coghlan.
Dr Debbie Berry from the Radiokop Animal Clinic agreed with Coghlan. She said they have had severe cases where animals were badly hurt by fireworks. “Fireworks need to be banned completely. Animals get very scared and often hurt themselves trying to escape from them,” she said.
She advises pet owners to get something calming from their local vet. When fireworks are going on outside, Berry suggests closing all the doors and windows and switching on the TV.
“Try to create the usual ‘inside’ noise. The sound of the TV or radio sort of muffles the fireworks outside. Remain as calm as possible, when you are calm it is easier for animals to relax,” she concluded.
During the festive season, it is imperative to practice caution, animals are often in the firing line of reckless behaviour and may pay the price for years to come.
