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NSPCA
SUPPORTS BAN FIREWORKS CAMPAIGN
18 January 2007
On behalf
of the National Council of SPCAs which represents the 92
individual SPCAs throughout South Africa with their
constituent membership and advising that our Honorary
Patron is Nelson Mandela: -
The National Council of SPCAs calls for a complete ban
on fireworks and formally expresses support for other
individuals or organizations who do likewise.
It is our belief that especially in the light of the
unprecedented mayhem and hooligan behaviour related to
the uncontrolled sale, distribution and use of fireworks
over the 2006 into 2007 festive season, there is no
alternative.
The relevant authorities cannot cope. Lawlessness
related to various aspects of fireworks – importation,
sales, distribution and discharge – has been highlighted
and law-abiding communities should no longer be
subjected to the trauma or indignity of seeing the law
of our beloved country being flagrantly disregarded and
the offenders going unpunished.
This is far more than an animal issue. It affects us all
and principles are involved.
The NSPCA is willing to elaborate on any of the above
and is willing to give interviews to the media and/or
any officials.
Please note that the NSPCA has formally written to every
relevant government department or ministry requesting
the following information:
1 The names of the people holding import permits for
fireworks
2 The amount they are permitted to import
3 The amount/quantity of legally imported fireworks in
2006.
Christine Kuch
PRO / Press Officer
NSPCA
LOWER
SOUTH COAST SPCA APPEALS FOR AN END TO THE UNNECESSARY
SUFFERING
24
January 2007
It is an
established fact that many animals can be totally
traumatised by the indiscriminate use of fireworks.
Domestic pets and wildlife alike flee from their homes,
nests and dens, which should be places of safety, to
escape from the terror over which they have no control.
In their panic, they run and fly, in any direction, in a
desperate attempt to get away from the source of their
fear. They become totally disorientated and get lost.
Many are injured and some even loose their lives. Many
are subjcted to blatant acts of cruelty by "Human
Beings" who get a kick out of inflicting pain using
fireworks, causing horrendous injuries and often, death.
How can we as a civilized society, condone this
behaviour so that the uncaring, callous and cruel
minority can be "entertained"? Isn't it time we listened
to the majority who want an end to this senseless
carnage of our animal population?
The S.P.C.A Inspectorate are under ever-increasing
pressure to cope with the escalating day-to-day
problems, without having the additional unnecessary
burden of dealing with the dilemma that fireworks cause.
The already overloaded kennels are often bursting at the
seams with traumatised animals that the inspectorate
manage to rescue. Many are not found and will never be
re-united with their owners. This last New year has been
worse than ever before.
"Pound"
costs also rise because animals not claimed remain in
kennels for long periods of time. Some can be re-homed
but many have to be euthanased, despite concerted
efforts by the S.P.C.A staff to locate the owners.
We appeal to you to PLEASE put an end to this
unnecessary suffering.
You have the power to make our beautiful South Coast a
peaceful firework-free zone and can use it so that
people and animals can live in harmony.
MR G EDWARDS
MANAGER-LOWER SOUTH COAST SPCA
WESSA -
Find a less obtrusive means of celebration
9
February 2007
The use of
fireworks is not only a long standing custom in many
parts of the world, but a long-standing cause of injury
and nuisance to people. Each year sees yet more reports
of injured or traumatised domestic animals which were
unable to escape, or did escape and are now lost or
injured on our roads. The wildlife is less easily
observed, but where monitored is equally distressed.
Given the fact that all the ecosystems in our area are
under severe stress for many reasons, primarily due to
habitat loss for recklessly sited and poorly controlled
development, such that some systems are now highly
threatened, any unnecessary additional stress is
unacceptable. Both in Africa and Europe there has
traditionally been a culture that the earth supports us,
and we must act responsibly in order to preserve and
protect its ability to continue to support us. WESSA has
as its motto, “People Caring for the Earth”. We
therefore support responsible behaviour, and this
excludes the current misuse of fireworks.
Although the illegal distribution and use of fireworks
reflects and in effect endorses the increasing crime in
our area, it is more importantly an indication of the
decline of an integrated and sustainable society.
Distress and damage caused by fireworks to both wildlife
and domesticated animals, however unintentional, is
inevitable, and is an indication of how far our society
has become irresponsible.
As a schoolchild I enjoyed watching fireworks, and I
knew other children who tried to make fireworks at home.
After several close misses, one child succeeded in
blowing himself up, and remains crippled for life. At
university I studied explosives in detail for a mining
engineering degree, and came to realise that they are
not toys. Current attitudes need changing before further
injury or death occurs, either to children or to
animals. It is high time that our political and social
leaders publicly endorse and promote the raising of
moral and ethical standards.
Unfortunately all attempts to control the use of
fireworks have until now proved ineffective in my
experience. In my area there was considerable
disturbance over the New Year holiday period. The police
force is too thinly spread and must give priority to
more serious crimes, and is therefore unable to
effectively police the regulations. The practical
alternative is to control the source of fireworks by
restricting their sale to authorised professionals for
use in controlled public displays.
I am therefore totally opposed to the use of fireworks
by anyone other than a properly trained and qualified
professional, under strict conditions limiting location
and time. These conditions should specifically include
limitations to noise levels. Even under circumstances
where displays are traditionally appropriate, it would
be preferable to find a less obtrusive means of
celebration; modern technology allows us to put on light
shows that are every bit as impressive as fireworks.
PG Norman,
Branch Chairman 2006/2007,
WESSA, Southern Kwazulu-Natal Branch
KZN DOG
ATHLETICS SUPPORT BAN FIREWORKS
This
letter serves to confirm KwaZulu Natal Dog Athletics
Association’s support for your campaign to ban fireworks
from the Hibiscus Coast.
We are an organization of over 50 paid up members, the
majority of whom live in the Hibiscus Coast, who compete
in the dog sports of Dog Jumping, Agility and Flyball.
We would welcome the ban so that our working companions,
our dogs, can cease being traumatized by the noises made
by fireworks.
Jean Whittaker
For: Alastair Fraser
Chairman
IVUNGU
RIVER CONSERVANCY SUPPORTS "BAN FIREWORKS"
23 January 2007
The
Conservancy consists of some 30 family and corporate
members whose mission it is to preserve in perpetuity
the unspoiled coastal and riverine forest of the 28 ha
Uvongo Nature Reserve and the surprisingly-abundant
flora and fauna still finding refuge there.
We have no hesitation whatsoever in supporting the
efforts of the Voice for the Voiceless campaign to ban
the sale and setting-off of fireworks – both within the
Hibiscus Coast Municipal area, and countrywide.
It has been our experience over the years that while the
use of fireworks within or near the Reserve has declined
gratifyingly over the traditional Dewali and Guy Fawkes
periods, there has been a significant increase in their
use over Christmas and New Year. The latest 2006/7
festive season was particularly bad with the Vungu River
Valley resembling nothing less than a Beirut alley.
The topography of the Reserve seems ideally suited to
those who wish to outdo their rivals with the loudest
bangs and brightest flashes. Missiles seem deliberately
trained on the Reserve from surrounding dwellings. The
nature of the terrain ensures the sound of the
explosions is carried right along the river.
This mindless and destructive behaviour by a growing
minority of louts:
risks, in dry years, the start of bush and forest fires
which could destroy the irreplaceable natural vegetation
and habitat (coastal/riverine forest species are not
fire-resistant: the trees die); and
transforms a natural refuge for 169 bird and perhaps 41
mammal species – all with super-sensitive hearing, many
with equally sensitive night vision – into a living hell
of light and noise. One doesn’t need to be a naturalist
to imagine the terror and disruption caused to a family
of endangered Blue Duiker (imPiti buck) at the height of
their summer breeding season.
Clearly existing laws are both inadequate and unenforced.
By removing the opportunity to lay their hands on
fireworks, through prohibiting their sale to and
possession by the public – only then will the yahoos,
local and visiting, be curbed.
Peter Vos
Secretary
for Ivungu River Conservancy
SOUTHBROOM CONSERVANCY FULLY SUPPORTS EFFORTS
10 January 2007
We advise that Southbroom Conservancy fully supports the
efforts of Voice for the Voiceless to bring about change
to the bylaws pertaining to the control, sale and
discharge of fireworks in the Hibiscus Coast
Municipality.
DAVID HALLÉ
CHAIRMAN
SARUM
BOARDING KENNELS THANK VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS AND
VOICES STRONG DISAPPROVAL OF FIREWORKS
19
January 2007
On behalf of Simone and myself, we would like to extend
our thanks to you for driving the campaign against the
use, and inescapable abuse, of fireworks in our area.
As a boarding kennel for dogs, we would have very strong
sentiments against the use of fireworks and related
products for obvious reasons.
By way of a short note, we agree with and support the
drive to end this now out of proportion pastime which
has so evidently tipped the scales from what was once an
acceptable and enjoyable evening or two of fireworks and
pyrotechnic display, to the current terrorizing,
traumatic and destructive results it now brings.
I did not
consider it necessary to provide documentation and
accounts of past incidents of injuries and trauma
directly related to use of fireworks, as I believe the
public and governmental circles alike know enough of
what the concern entails in essence. Suffice to say, we
were very fortunate to record only one incident of
physical harm to a young Dalmatian female who boarded
with us in December. She acquired a minor cut on the
left of her snout as she attempted to distance herself
from the noise of fireworks that particular evening. The
other unofficial damage obtained by way of trauma etc.
cannot always be measured objectively, however, it is
reasonable to say that there were victims in this domain
too.
Herewith, please accept our again, strong disapproval of
such products and if we can assist in the matter
further, please feel free to contact us.
Chris and Simone Wilkins
HIBISCUS KENNEL CLUB GIVES SUPPORTS FIREWORKS BAN
23
January 2007
As
Chairman of Hibiscus Kennel Club I know I write on
behalf of all our members giving you our fullest support
for your campaign to BAN all fireworks along the entire
South Coast
We have roughly 100 fully paid up members and we would
all welcome an immediate end to this these horrendous "
bombs" that are let off totally irresponsibly in some
cases thus causing untold terror not only to our dogs
but to all animals both domestic and wild so many of
whom have simply " no place to hide"
I myself once owned a very beloved "Staffie" who was so
terrified of the noise of fireworks that she
hyperventilated to such an extent that I really thought
she would one day have a heart attack.I adopted her as a
stray through one of our vets after he had nursed her
back to health after she had been knocked down by a car
and to this day I wonder if she had run away due to her
enormous fear of fireworks.
Penny Mills
HCM WARD 1 COMMITTEE
Excerpt
from Minutes of 8 January 2007
Fireworks: Noted with concern that the Bylaws in
respect of fireworks were not enforced during the season
and that an unacceptable level and duration of firework
explosions had been experienced. Request to be made to
Director Victor Chetty that suitable signage be erected
advising the fine for setting off ‘unapproved’
fireworks, and that Protection Services become more
active and effective during the season. After discussing
the merits of the anti-fireworks campaign, it was agreed
that Ward 1 Committee support the efforts of the Voice
for the Voiceless to have loud and percussive fireworks
banned.
RAMSGATE RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION AND RAMSGATE
CONSERVANCY SUPPORT FIREWORKS BAN
25 January 2007
This
serves to confirm that at the Ramsgate Ratepayers’
Association and the Ramsgate Conservancy Annual General
Meeting held on the 24th January 2007, the Voice for the
Voiceless Anti Fireworks campaign to totally ban the use
of fireworks in the Hibiscus Coast Municipality was
unanimously supported by the members present.
Hazel Voice (Chairman RRA)
David Halle (Chairman Conservancy)
TRAFALGAR RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS OFFER 100% SUPPORT
16
January 2007
We the
Ratepayers and Residents of Trafalgar are 100% behind
the banning of fireworks. Our animals and elderly
residents in our village had a very traumatic 4hrs of
loud explosions. I personally have never experienced
anything like it in the 16yrs of visiting the area, or
in the 4yrs that we have lived here.
Lorraine Walker
Chairman and Committee
SOUTHBROOM RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION APPEALS TO THE MAYOR
OF THE HIBISCUS COAST TO ENFORCE MORE STRINGENT
FIREWORKS BYLAWS
15
January 2007
Our organization supports Voice for the Voiceless in its
efforts to have loud and percussive fireworks banned on
the Hibiscus Coast and to only have public displays of
“pretty” fireworks where authorized by our municipal
authorities.
Despite us choosing to stage a laser light display at
the Southbroom Beach Party this year, our village was
deafened by bottle rockets and big bangs from December
16 to January 14. Even when approached, certain
ratepayers and residents continued to violate the rights
of others and place our homes, wildlife and coastal bush
at risk.
Fireworks are not what they used to be. The amount of
explosive used today is highly dangerous and
unacceptable. More stringent control is needed.
Furthermore, in order to assist Protection Services in
enforcing our bylaws, we request that public notices of
the applicable fines be positioned in season.
JOY CRUTCHFIELD
CHAIRMAN
NSPCA
CONGRATULATES "SAY NO TO FIREWORKS" CAMPAIGN -
15 January 2007
We congratulate you on achievements so far and wish you luck in
your further endeavours.
We are also working on this and are trying to obtain results at
the import level.
Christine Kuch
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