The saying that humans don’t deserve dogs has turned truer post this Diwali. Since people are not over the festive vibes and are still bursting the leftover crackers, the trauma animals are going through because of this is continuing.
Caregivers are still looking for their dogs, who have gone missing since Diwali. Social media is filled with posts of animals who’ve run away due to the noise of firecrackers.
The After Effect Of Diwali On Animals
Every Diwali, stray and pet dogs flee their home owing to the fear induced by loud firecrackers and the resulting trauma. Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook are full of clips showing dogs shivering as children torture them with ‘phuljharis’.
The co-trustee of dog feeder and rescue group Wagging Tales, Mansi Rautela said, “My friends and I are constantly posting on social media about it—on Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook groups. We are also distributing posters on foot, but the dogs are nowhere to be found.”
This is not limited to Diwali only. Other festivals such as Christmas, Bhai Dooj, and Karwa Chauth, also bring this torment to animals living on the streets.
Chhavi Goyal, another rescuer and feeder based in Gurugram has been looking for her stray dog, Senior Onja, who has been missing since October 25, 2024, when people had started bursting crackers. She said, “I saw people near my dog’s feeding spot throwing crackers at him. These people can’t even be reported because they will easily get away with it by saying that they were just playing.” She has also announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for whosoever finds her dog.
Such organisations are trying their best to find and take care of these missing dogs, some of which have been found 20-30 km away from their homes after Diwali.
“I have been doing carework for stray dogs for the past 40 years, and social media has never helped me find my dogs. What works is talking to shop owners, ice-cream vendors, chai walas, and watchmen. In fact, traffic police are also very helpful,” said Uma Ramesh, from Faridabad.
Read More: Mass Killing Of Stray Dogs Is Common In India: Time To Prevent Rising Cruelty Towards Stray Dogs
A More Humane Diwali
Experts have time and again confirmed that the crackers burst during celebrations and festivals are not only harmful to humans but also to the animals around them.
A veterinary doctor, Dayanarayan Banerjee said, “The sound emitted by a firecracker or the roar of a thunder can be painful and overwhelming for dogs because of their heightened sensitivity to sound. Trained dogs, like those in the police force or bomb squads, might be habituated to these sudden bursts of sound. But the majority of the canines panic in such a situation.”
Research by PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals) reveals that firecrackers cause emotional and psychological distress to animals subjected to them. “Animals can suffer nervous breakdowns as well as undergo severe hearing disability due to firecrackers,” said its report.
This problem still lacks an implementable solution. While some states banned polluting crackers this Diwali, no such concrete action was taken for noise-causing ones.
“This is a terrible time for pets. They would not let go of me even for a minute. The frequency of the noise violations went up as the evening progressed. Left alone, they would be extremely nervous and restless,” said Chandrani Guha, who stays in Kolkata and has adopted three dogs from the road.
As we celebrate happiness and joy during the festive season, we need to be mindful of our practices, whether they are becoming a source of problem for others or not. And by others, it is important to include all living beings.
Source: The Telegraph, National Herald, The Print
This post is tagged under: stray dogs, pet dogs, pets, dogs, animals, trauma, emotional, psychological, organisations, humans, Diwali, festivals, Kolkata, Delhi, court, Chandrani Guha, PETA, crackers, research, veterinary, doctor, Dayanarayan Banerjee, co-trustee, phuljharis, Wagging Tales, Mansi Rautela, dog feeder, rescuer, groups, Christmas, Bhai Dooj, Karwa Chauth, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, social media, Chhavi Goyal, Gurugram, Senior Onja, Uma Ramesh
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