Celebrities and animal rights activists urge citizens to spare a thought for animals this Diwali

Crackers aren’t fun for animals

Celebrities and animal rights activists urge citizens to spare a thought for animals this Diwali

    It’s hard not to notice Muffin — a coffee brown German Shepherd. He stands out from the crowd in the kennel run by a voluntary organisation that cares for animals. He is a Diwali victim. Last year, he was spotted hiding in the bushes to protect himself from stray dogs.
    He is not the lone victim. Diwali fireworks leave many pets as well as stray animals and birds grievously injured, dead and even mutilated every year. Bundla Padmaja, an animal rights activist, who runs an organisation, says, “Animals have a much heightened sense of hearing than humans. Dogs can sense sounds seven times louder than us. Due to the terrifying noise, many of them become disoriented, run helter skelter and bump into vehicles or attack humans.”
    The effect of fireworks on the birds is quite devastating. Dr T Sanjay, a veterinarian, says, “Rockets land in trees, burn birds’ nests and severely injure them. Migratory birds lose their way as the startled birds fly in different directions. Some roosting birds fall off their perch due to the impact of the explosions.”
    Diwali is also a time when animals become easy targets for rowdy youngsters who indulge in cruel games. South actress Amala Akkineni, founder, Blue Cross, recalls a pet cat she lost last Diwali. “It was a beautiful fluffy ginger cat, very friendly and loved playing with the kids. We found him dead the day after Diwali, burnt from the crackers that kids tied to his tail. It’s important that we sensitise kids against indulging in such cruel games.”
    Padmaja points out that last Diwali alone, they rescued 20 animals — dogs, kitten, donkeys and cows — that were subjected to these cruel games that can be fatal to animals. “The perpetrators are mostly kids. So, we have been conducting workshops to sensitise them. Parents also have a part to play. Cruelty to animals is a punishable crime. If you see anyone indulging in such games, please lodge a complaint at the nearest police station,” urges Padmaja.
    While stray animals have a much tougher time during Diwali time, pets have a hard time as well. “Generally, pets get very nervous and sometimes destructive during the season. In fact, a lot of animals just drop dead due to a heart failure caused by the panic/shock of the explosions. Make sure your pets are always indoors and bring out thicker curtains and rugs to act as sound barriers. The best thing for pet owners to do is to stay very calm and pretend as if everything is absolutely fine. Maybe they can put on some music to distract them. Cats and dogs respond wonderfully to the energies of their owners. If the owners show anxiety and anger towards the sound, they might also think that there is something wrong. So, some assurance will go a long way,” says Amala, urging everyone to go for a noiseless Diwali.
    Actress Priya Anand seconds it saying, “Diwali is the festival of lights after all and it isn’t just about fireworks. We need to tailor our celebrations to make them more eco-friendly and animal friendly.”