Fireworks Spark Firm SPCA Resolve
The first week of the fireworks ‘season’
has sparked a renewed call for their withdrawal from public sale by
the SPCA in
Auckland.In addition to a number of animals
killed on the road, and a huge increase in calls from distressed
owners, the Society attended numerous fireworks related incidents
including:
- A dog in Manurewa running panic stricken,
salivating, and in a frenzied state contained outside in its own
property with no-one at home.
- A dog who chewed its lead to pieces in a
terrified state and who escaped to be finally hit and killed by a
car in Papatoetoe.
- A young filly in Kumeu who scraped the skin
from the inside of its hind leg with cuts to the other whilst it
attempted to escape in panic through a fence.
- A totally distressed cat up a tree in Otahuhu
surrounded by fireworks and people who were oblivious to its fate.
SPCA Chief Executive Bob Kerridge commented that
"although these incidents are distressful in themselves, and
represent only a few examples, the ultimate illustration of
deliberate fireworks abuse reported to me involved a young cat in
Papakura who was seen dragging herself amidst a pool of blood".
"Further investigations revealed that the blood
was the result of an aborted kitten, however when the suffering
animal was taken to a veterinarian for examination a firecracker was
discovered lodged within her bowel. Several unborn kittens were
found dead within her womb and she herself was so damaged it was
necessary to put her to sleep."
"This cruel sick act epitomises the need to keep
all fireworks out of the hands of the idiots who misuse them", said
Bob Kerridge. "If ever there was a case for their total ban this
poor innocent tortured mother and her equally innocent kittens must
send the message, loud and clear", he said.
Of equal concern are the vast numbers of animals
who have gone missing with the lost and found animal service,
Pets on the Net,
reporting a "huge increase in animals reported missing" over the
last few days.
"What is the fate of these missing animals because
of fireworks" questions Bob Kerridge. "Were they killed in their
panic to escape, or were they sadistically mutilated and murdered in
the same way that mother cat so tragically ended her life? The
public and the animals will be as unimpressed as I am with the
Environment Minister’s latest utterance that he is not yet prepared
to stop the public sale of fireworks. Just what further proof does
this man need?"
