THE MISUSE OF FIRECRACKERS DURING FESTIVALS, FESTIVE SEASONS AND THEREAFTER

The preponderance of squibs/ firecrackers/miscellaneous explosive devices during festive seasons is a recurring issue of concern — notwithstanding the fact that many of these noise-makers are actually banned or are controlled by restrictive import legislation. At Diwali celebrations, there appears to be more squibs and firecrackers and fireworks than diyas.
In the olden days, kids produced noise for short periods via carbon, spittle and an Ovaltine tin; progress does come at a cost!
As I have repeatedly advised, loud noises, whether they emanate from a firecracker, or a squib, or any type of explosive, hurt and create extreme distress to animals, especially our socialized companion animals. So, today, two days before New Year’s Eve, let me repeat my pleas for consideration to our pets from the cacophony we create in gay abandon, and provide some advice in dealing with the inevitable.
Dogs and cats have very sensitive ears and eyes. The noise and sudden/repetitively brilliant lights from the explosives disorient and traumatize animals. 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 jump off verandahs. They impale themselves. They run away from home (you can see them wandering around our roads, lost and with anxious looks). They are struck down by uncaring motorists and left to die agonizing deaths at the sides of the roads. These are the gruesome scenes after every fireworks-laced celebration.
We must now turn our attention to the protection of our pets (wards) by applying methodologies which can reduce their anxiety disorders and general suffering.
Let us look at the symptoms exhibited by our companion animals (as a reaction to explosive devices) that can reveal the level of distress which the animals are enduring. Some symptoms can be long-lasting, even so indelibly etched in their brains as to be irreversible. In such cases, we speak of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

SYPMTOMS of noise/light-related anxiety
[Please note that pets show signs of stress that are different from humans].
1) Uncontrolled urination (incontinence)/defecation.
2) Incessant barking/ howling/whining.
3) Heavy breathing (panting).
4) Attempting to run away from their normal environments (jumping over the fence, running into/out of the house, etc.).
5) Hiding (running into the bathroom, under the bed, in the wardrobe, etc.).
6) Inappetence (loss of appetite).
7) Drooling (streams of saliva hanging from the mouth).
8) Actually trying to cover their ears and eyes.
9) Trembling
10) Tails under their bellies.
11) Dilated pupils of the eyes are obvious.
12) Exhibition of behavioural patterns not usually associated with your pet (e.g. increased water intake, unusual aggression, running away from humans, even their owners, etc).

TREATMENT
Treatment should mostly mirror the cause of the symptoms. For example, if the pet is fixated on removing itself from the stressor (noise/light), then we must provide such accommodation. The focus is to calm your pet and reinforce its self-confidence.
1) I mostly advise that during the celebrative silly season, allow your dog to hide in the bathroom when the necessity arises. You can visit him often with treats and general TLC. Let him/her have his/her accustomed toys. Do not be abusive to your dog if he/she defecates/urinates in your bathroom. Give cats a pet cage/box with their favourite blankets and toys.
2) Ensure water is always available.
3) Days prior to the expected increase in decibel/light intensity levels, take your dog for walks on a leash (exercise). In fact, play games (“fetch”, wrestling, etc.) with your pet. Reinforce its confidence.
4) Text books advise playing soothing melodies/music to ease stress. It seems that turning on the TV also works well. (N.B. it has been proven that both dogs and cats have favourite T.V. shows).
5) Close the curtains.
6) One wise and caring suggestion is to play, at a lower noise level, recordings of fireworks’ explosions regularly (prior to the noisy fireworks) to help desensitize your pet to unaccustomed loud noises.
7) Discuss with your vet and seek advice. Medication may be recommended to keep particularly sensitive and anxiety-prone companion animals calm during excessive fireworks’ displays.
In conclusion, let it be clear: In a civilized world, the incessant and unrelenting terrorizing of companion animals, our fellow travellers on this spaceship Earth, should not be considered a joke, giving us some weird form of joy. Subjecting/exposing animals to unnecessary cruelty via long-term use of squibs/ firecrackers/fireworks is one of the greatest cruelties we can administer to animals.
The above-mentioned comments are further fortified by texts on this subject which have been published, inter alia, by:
(i) Kaieteur News of October 20, 2022, written by Anurama Ramgobin of “Tails of Hope”, and
(ii) Guyana Times of October 20, 2022, in an Editorial entitled “Firecrackers”.
Allow us to wish pet caregivers a Happy New Year and the very best during 2025 and beyond.