Spare a thought for animals this Diwali

BHUBANESWAR: Diwali celebrations are all about fireworks, but it’s not the same for birds and animals. Dogs and cats cower in fear as birds spend a sleepless night on their perches, with some even falling victim to the rockets and air-borne firecrackers.With their heightened sense of hearing, animals often panic and run helter-skelter on hearing the noise. Also, the terrified pets that flee the explosions often become disoriented.Animal welfare activists fear that this year too, fireworks would leave many stray and pet animals and birds dead or mutilated. The activists said that each year post-Diwali thousands of birds die unable to bear the high-pitched explosions.“In a bid to avoid trouble in localities that are packed with apartments, many prefer bursting crackers in the open areas near the trees that leave the birds injured or dead,” said Santosh Das, president of People for Animals (PFA), students’ wing.PFA group has been counselling people to keep their pets secure and celebrate Diwali with compassion by boycotting noisy crackers.“Animals are the easiest targets for youngsters, more so the children who play the most inhuman game of tying firecrackers to the tails and watch the fun while the animals run around panic-stricken and ultimately burn themselves,” he said.Veterinarians said since animals have a far more sharper sense of hearing than the humans, the noise of crackers has a terrifying effect on them. “Fireworks generate a noise level higher than the noise from gunshots and low-level flying jets. Fireworks displays and celebrations bring confusion, anxiety, and fear in animals,” said SK Ray, president of Orissa State Veterinary Council.He said many pet owners frequent his clinic after Diwali. “A normal cracker sounds like a bomb to dogs due to their acute hearing capability. They develop sound phobia and other health complications due to the smoke,” he said.“A regular supply of water is recommended, especially if pollution is high,” Ray said.Shutting windows and doors and covering cages with blankets are the easiest solutions to drown out the sound. “Pets should ideally be kept in a sound-proof room, with lights on so that sudden flares don’t scare them. In extreme cases, they should be taken to the vet and given sedatives to calm them down,” Ray added.So this Diwali, as you celebrate with crackers, spare a thought for the poor animals cowering in the nearest corner. As Ray suggests, “We want everybody to enjoy the festivity including animals.”