While Deepavali fireworks left at least 140 revellers injured this year, animals too became victims of their cruel and senseless acts.
Dr Parviz Ahmed Piran, joint director of BBMP’s animal husbandry wing, said his department received several complaints of stray dogs being injured owing to fireworks. “We have received complaints from Byappanahalli, Indiranagar and Sanjaynagar over the past three days. Strays from Indiranagar were taken to a local veterinary clinic and given treatment,” he said. A resident of Chamarajpet, C Mohan, said he was shocked to see children throwing crackers and firing rockets at stray dogs.
“The dogs were running mad with fear to avoid the crackers. I warned the kids not to harm animals,” he said.
BBMP’s wildlife advisor Sharath Babu had requested the public not to harm animals. Hundreds of animals are injured during the revelry.
“Youngsters aim rockets at animals or trees and clap when they hit the target. Some even tie crackers on to stray dogs. These animals run with fear and suffer burns,” he said. “There are even cases of missing pets. As they run mad, the owners lose them. It’s painful. In the case of stray dogs, they hide in drains,” he said.
Some miscreants in Shivajinagar wait for Deepavali to catch pets, which run astray, he added.
