THE Philippine Animal Welfare Society (Paws) and the EcoWaste Coalition jointly urged the public to have mercy on animals who suffer a lot from the deafening sounds of firecrackers and fireworks to welcome the New Year.
The animal and environmental rights groups deplored the “acoustical violence” inflicted upon pet and stray animals such as cats and dogs, especially during the last hour of the outgoing year.
“Our four-legged friends, particularly cats and dogs, suffer in silence as firecrackers and fireworks of varying intensity are ignited in the belief that such practice can shoo away bad luck and pull in good energy and fortune,” said Anna Cabrera, Paws executive director.
“Cats and dogs are specially gifted with acute sense of hearing. Pyrotechnic explosions can cause acoustic trauma to animals that humans often take no notice of,” she added.
Such traumatic exposure to ear-splitting sounds and noxious fumes can stress animals and cause appetite loss, upset stomach and confused sense of direction making animals to go astray or get injured, said Paws.
“We appeal to all New Year revelers to be wary of the safety and well-being of our animal friends and to act compassionately by not lighting firecrackers and fireworks, which are damaging to human, animal and ecosystem health,” said Aileen Lucero, EcoWaste Coalition coordinator.
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