— animal activist calls for caution during holiday festivities

By Naomi Parris
TO most people, the Christmas season and celebrating the New Year is a time of joy and merriment. However, to animal lovers nationwide, it’s a time of uncertainty and concern.
It is customary for many to usher in the New Year with a ‘bang’ with the use of firecrackers, squibs and bright fireworks. While these are fun for many adults and children, it is not the same for animals.

Donna Lam, an animal activist and founder of the Rosewood Foundation, in an exclusive interview with this publication, said that during the season of such festivities animal lovers like herself dread not knowing how their pets will react to the sounds fireworks
“Fireworks and other explosive materials produce sparks, flames, and fumes, causing harm to animals. The hearing of many animals is much more sensitive than it is in humans, so the explosions of fireworks are not only more disturbing to them, but can damage their hearing more severely.”
She explained that the ‘booming’ loud sounds caused by fireworks and firecrackers can lead to loss of hearing and tinnitus.
Dogs, she added are known to suffer irreversible hearing loss if caught in close proximity to exploding fireworks. The loud sound of firecrackers is enough to give repeated nervous breakdowns to dogs and cats.

Other reactions are freezing or paralysis, uncontrolled attempts to escape and hide, and tremors. More intense signs may also be present, such as salivation, tachycardia, intense vocalisations, urination or defecation, increased activity, hyper alertness and gastrointestinal disorders. All these signs are indicative of great discomfort. It has been pointed out that the reaction of dogs to the sound of fireworks is similar to post-traumatic stress in humans. It is unlikely that a dog will die from the stress of fireworks, but it could trigger an existing health issue that could be fatal.
Lam explained that during this season the worst affected animals are the strays, mostly dogs as well as cats that normally prowl the streets.
“There are also some very cruel people who find it amusing to tie firecrackers to stray dogs and set them off causing burn wounds on the dogs to practically scare them to death. We see incidents of such cruelty every year.”

Wild animals are also severely affected, and according to Lam, birds abandon their nests and young chicks during the confusion, resulting in starvation and eventual death of the hatchlings.
“They also fly into buildings because of disorientation, resulting in death. The noise of firecrackers can cause bird’s tachycardia and even death by fright. Birds who flee from their nests due to these frightening sounds do not know how to return to their nests once the noise ends, which leaves many of their young helpless.”
She explained that firework explosions do not last long enough for animals to become accustomed to the sound. The ears of most animals are considerably more sensitive than the human ear, so the explosions are even more disturbing to them.

The activist further explained that fireworks normally contain harmful chemicals and metals to produce a variety of bold colours.
“These chemicals and metals are making their way into our rivers. In addition to being poisonous to animals, their explosion releases harmful particles that are toxic for animals to inhale. It can worsen existing respiratory conditions and cause a variety of others. The proximity of the animals to the areas where the firecrackers are lit often causes burns and damage to the eyes. Birds and fishes have been known to ingest harmful material assuming its food.”
She added, “Fireworks are dangerous to all animals. Dangerous to animals who are in close proximity to where they explode and animals further away, who ingest or inhale the particles carried by the wind.”