Plett Fireworks Petition
“We Support a Fireworks Free South Africa” together with Plett Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) still continues to support the NSPCA in its opinion that majority of firework displays, while approved, are inappropriate as they can be hazardous to adults, children, especially animals and our fragile environment.
In addition to the noise pollution, they present a real fire hazard in an area that is particularly vulnerable to fire.
It is a known fact that dogs can hear five times more acutely than humans, and cats twice as acutely as dogs. This is why these animals experience such extreme stress and reaction to fireworks – for them, it is a terrifying threat and unbearable noise that they try to escape from.
Every year, PAWS has to care for numerous animals which have been lost, injured and traumatised as a result of fireworks. Of course, there are always some irresponsible and arrogant offenders who continue to explode the loudest and potentially dangerous illegal fireworks on their private properties.
They either do not care about the anti-social effects of these fireworks or they are ignorant of the severity of the offence and penalties. Some cowardly people even use this time to inflict terrible injuries on animals in the name of so-called fun.
Plett local Suzarne Ally Van Jaarsveld under the banner “We Support a Fireworks Free South Africa” took the initiative during 2018 with the help of the community and other Organisations and successfully prevented fireworks from taking place on Lookout and Main Beach, and she is again appealing to all Plett residents and visitors to act responsibly and to help us to stamp out this unnecessary and inappropriate activity in our beautiful town.
On 4 September 2019, the petition was filed with the Mosselbay Explosives Unit under copy to the Mayor P Lobese and Mr. Ngoqo – Municipal Manager and they were notified that the petition that was filed last year, 2018, will remain in place and force.”
“We the community in Plett needs a strong leg to stand on this year if we want this petition to be a success again, and therefore need a serious effort from all to assist in getting signatures and/or group members in any one of the following groups. We need at least another 10000 signatures.
“Please share the information with your friends, family, children, parents, grandparents and most important of all on ‘your Facebook pages’.
“Together as a community, we can make a difference.”
“The Greatness of a Nation can be determined by the way they treat their animals” Mahatma Gandhi.
Please sign our Avaaz Petition
Visit our Facebook Group for more information.
The use of floating lanterns is also discouraged as they have been the cause of very serious fires in Plett and may complicate the work of the NSRI, as the lanterns can be confused with emergency flares.
The following precautions should be followed by concerned pet owners, in the case of fireworks :
- Ensure clear identification of all animals.
- If you can’t stay home with your pets, keep them in a room where they cannot escape or get injured.
- Try to mask outside noise by drawing curtains and playing music.
- If they really react badly consult your vet.
Please SPEAK OUT! Report the illegal sale and use of fireworks to SAPS (10111/044 501 1900) and PAWS (083 287 9917).