By Dr Steve Surujbally
Some thoughts on the use of explosives (squibs) during the holiday season especially their impact on companion animals (pets)
It seems that a compulsory part of our emerging culture is to throw squibs or other explosive devices at or near dogs (pets) just to see how they will react. Somehow, for some people, the poor animal’s terrified reaction elicits merriment. Perhaps such barbarism is nothing new. In fact, such an act has been denounced by our grandparents who observe that: “what is fun for schoolboy is death for crapaud.”
I recognise that, for many persons, it won’t be a really enjoyable Christmas/New Year’s/Phagwah/Diwali celebration if squibs are not exploded, not lastly near to hapless animals, if only just to witness the scared reaction.
When I was young – in Jurassic times – we used a piece of carbon and an Ovaltine tin to produce a loud noise at Christmas. There were no squibs in those days. Or, if there were, we either had no money to buy then or, simply, we found more fun creating the bang with spat – upon carbon. For whatever reason, these boyhood activities seemed not to affect dogs who steered clear from the noise. Nowadays, however, the squib-induced noise continues throughout the day and night; the animals have no respite from this assault.
Well, whether it is a firecracker or a squib or any noise-making explosive, it hurts animals. Dogs and cats have sensitive ears. The noise from the explosions disorients and traumatises them. They don’t know what to do. They run indoors and try to hide in secluded places where they think there is security (bathrooms, under beds, in cupboards, etc). They hurt themselves. They run away from home (you can see them wandering around our roads lost, in a daze, and with anxious looks). They are struck down by uncaring motorists. I recall that one year, a German shepherd from Kitty was picked up by a good Samaritan in South Ruimveldt. They jump off the verandah, break their legs or, worse, their necks, or damage their spinal cords, causing paralysis for life.
The tying of firecracker to dogs’ tails is an unpardonable act of cruelty and an offence under the law. One can be charged, and the offender could be incarcerated. Terrorising dogs and cats is not a joke. If a friend wants to commit such acts of barbarism, distance yourself from him or her. He/she must not be a friend. Such a person might need psychiatric help.
Simply put, exposing pets to squibs, firecrackers and to any type of explosive is one of the greatest cruelties one can administer to any animal.
Some years ago, a wise Government introduced legislation which prohibits the importation and use of squibs and explosives. Yet, we find these articles being openly sold at our markets and variety stores. It is time – holiday or no holiday, season or no season, celebration or no celebration for the police to make an example of the importers, sellers and buyers.
Mahatma Gandhi is reported to have said that one can judge the level of civilisation in a country on the basis of how they treat their animals.
Let us make an extra effort this Christmas season to ensure that the use of squibs and any other type of noise-making devices (explosives) is kept at an absolute minimum. Perhaps we will evolve into such a caring nation that such “toys” will not anymore be used, and definitely not to scare animals – our fellow travellers on this spaceship Earth.
