Imagine loud bombs going off everywhere around you. You panic and run around blindly. Suddenly, you realise that a string of fireworks is tied to you. The crackers start going off, burning the skin right off your torso. Sounds scary? Imagine this happening to your pet!
Every year, during Diwali, the city turns into a nightmare for animals. While we pamper out pets to the ‘T’ all year round, somehow during this festive season we get so caught up in the celebrations that we tend to forget how fireworks affect them.
While several organisations have launched campaigns to make this Diwali merrier for animals, the onus is on us to be sensitive. “We are counselling people on how to take care of their pets during the festival. We want to make sure that it is a happy time for all, animals included,” says animal activist Rajneesh Khona.
A dog’s hearing ability is seven times that of humans. Certain frequencies of sound register 40 times louder in dogs than they would in humans. In fact, experts say that the bang of a bomb is so loud that it could cause a heart attack among dogs. Even birds and rodents are affected during Diwali since their senses are sharper than humans.
Amit Pathak, a pet owner as well as an animal activist, says, “We get maximum accident and burn cases of strays during Diwali. Last year, we had a dog that was completely burnt because some guys tied a row of crackers to his tail. In cats, their ear drums get affected. Birds, on the other hand, can easily get a heart attack with the noise of crackers.”
TIPS TO KEEP PETS SAFE
While several organisations have launched campaigns to make this Diwali merrier for animals, the onus is on us to be sensitive. “We are counselling people on how to take care of their pets during the festival. We want to make sure that it is a happy time for all, animals included,” says animal activist Rajneesh Khona.
A dog’s hearing ability is seven times that of humans. Certain frequencies of sound register 40 times louder in dogs than they would in humans. In fact, experts say that the bang of a bomb is so loud that it could cause a heart attack among dogs. Even birds and rodents are affected during Diwali since their senses are sharper than humans.
Amit Pathak, a pet owner as well as an animal activist, says, “We get maximum accident and burn cases of strays during Diwali. Last year, we had a dog that was completely burnt because some guys tied a row of crackers to his tail. In cats, their ear drums get affected. Birds, on the other hand, can easily get a heart attack with the noise of crackers.”
TIPS TO KEEP PETS SAFE
- Put your pet in a room with minimum number of windows — this will limit exposure to noise.
- Take note of the place where your pet prefers to go on being frightened and allow easy access to that place.
- Pets such as dogs and cats are known to try escaping through windows. So keep the windows closed!
- Try to keep your pet engaged. You can play soothing music in the room to minimise noise effect.
- Take medicines from the veterinarian beforehand — they could help relieve the animal of their fears and anxiety.
Courtesy:
Srishti Ghosh Shinde
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/11/01&PageLabel=53&EntityId=Ar05200&ViewMode=HTML
Srishti Ghosh Shinde
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2013/11/01&PageLabel=53&EntityId=Ar05200&ViewMode=HTML
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