Ban the Bang campaign fast gaining momentum

Date: 21 January 2017 By: Anton van Zyl

The “Ban the Bang” campaign has gained momentum over the past week and petition forms are available at several places in the region. The campaign was launched to try and ban all fireworks in town and, in doing so, stop the traumatisation of thousands of animals.

Last week the Zoutpansberger reported on the campaign, driven by local veterinarian Nada de Villiers, in conjunction with the SPCA and other concerned groups. They are petitioning the local government structures to completely ban the selling and discharging of fireworks in the region.

“Dogs, cats, and other companion animals don’t understand the terrifying, loud bangs. Fireworks bring confusion, anxiety, fear, and blind panic to animals who, in an effort to escape the frightening detonations, can get into all sorts of trouble,” reads the petition compiled by the group.

Not only domestic pets are terrified by the fireworks. “After a loud bang, most birds fly away in fright, and nesting mothers of flocks sometimes cannot find their own nests upon return, endangering the well-being of nestlings. Fireworks produce light, noise and air pollution. The explosions of fireworks also release poisonous chemicals and particle-laden smoke, which contaminate the environment. Wildlife living downwind from fireworks displays are exposed to the hazards of these contaminants, as are domesticated animals and humans with asthma,” the concerned animal lovers say.

In the Makhado municipal area, by-laws regulate the discharging of fireworks, but these are not properly policed. Residents may, by law, only discharge fireworks in designated areas on specified occasions and permits need to be issued. Despite the by-laws, residents discharge fireworks in the residential areas with little regard for the safety of other residents and the effect this may have on animals.

The local SPCA, along with the other concerned groups, are petitioning the Makhado Municipality to amend the Public Nuisance and Public Health Animal By-laws to include the following:

* Ban the use of fireworks in town;

* Ban the trading and selling of fireworks in town;

* To draw up a task force of citizens to assist the SAPS during peak times to ensure these laws are enforced; and

* Reinstate the dog-licensing policy to assist the funding of such operations and to fine owners of dogs roaming the streets, reinforcing responsible pet ownership and consideration and safety of fellow community members.

The chairperson of the Louis Trichardt SPCA, Yolanda Cronjé, said that petition forms are available at Blouberg Animal Clinic, Nada’s Ark, the SPCA and the Zoutpansberger. She encouraged residents to use the opportunity and support this cause.

(In last week’s printed edition of the Zoutpansberger the spokesperson for the local SPCA, Alicia Thomas, was incorrectly referred to as the chairperson and her surname was given as Potgieter. We apologise for that.)

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Anton van Zyl

Anton van Zyl has been with the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror since 1990. He graduated from the Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg) and obtained a BA Communications degree. He is a founder member of the Association of Independent Publishers.

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