We need to crack the whip to muzzle illegal fireworks ‘fun’

I READ your article on the front page of GO on October 8 2015 (“Boy does his share for SPCA”).

It is heartwarming to see a youngster like Joshua care about animals and to read about his efforts to make life easier and happier for our four-legged friends. Good luck to him.

Now, Guy Fawkes Day is today (November 5) and I can already see a repetition of what happened last year. Illegal fireworks, animals running away or getting lost, children and owners losing their beloved pets and the SPCA with their hands full trying to control terrified runaways.

Guy Fawkes Day and New Year’s Day are the most stressful days for me every year. I do not even want to go out on Old Year’s Eve to enjoy the New Year. I will rather stay at home and keep my dogs inside. I will close all doors and windows and be a prisoner for the sake of my four-legged friends. I am sure there are a lot of people doing the same.

I want to know from you guys in association with the SPCA, SAPS and the municipality if it is not possible to compile and put a little poster or leaflet in all the next coming issues of GO/ Daily Dispatch, warning the public against using and buying illegal fireworks and detonating them in public places.

The public needs to be made aware of the consequences of fireworks and the fines that can be issued for not complying.

A little map or directions on where fireworks can be used, as identified by the municipality, will also help a lot.

Last year a lot of small shops in West Bank and other shops around East London were selling illegal fireworks. A week and more after Guy Fawkes Day and New Year’s Day, some people were still using fireworks, sometimes as soon as it became dark, or even much later, like around 11pm. Every time it is the same story all over again.

A lot of people don’t know a dog’s senses are very sensitive. They can feel, hear, smell and sense things much better than a human can and those loud booms and flashes of light can be very intense for a dog. We will never stop the illegal use of fireworks but at least we can try.

Together we can make this festive season less stressful for all of us, and our faithful friends. Thank you. Yours in Paws Jannie in West Bank, East London