High-pitched solutions for pet owners

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http://www.timesthaneplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=TP1ART10162006

 

High-pitched solutions for pet owners

 

Diwali brings with it a host of firecrackers and their correspondingly

loud noises that pets find difficult to bear. Thane Plus gets some expert

solutions to help deal with the problem.

 

Yogesh Gupta, Thane

 

It’s the same old story every Diwali. While thousands of people across the

city celebrate the festival by bursting crackers, animals - both pet and

stray - tremble with fear, as they cannot bear the loud noises. Though

there can only be solace for strays when people stop bursting such loud

crackers, there is still hope for pet animals and their owners.

 

Animal activists inform that dogs have an incredible hearing ability,

which can detect sounds that are too faint for the human ear, and can hear

sounds pitched at frequencies above and below the range of an average

person. Shakuntala Majumdar, President of Thane Society for Protection of

Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) says, " Their actual frequency range is 67 Hz to

45 kHz, which is ’unheard of’ to the human ear’s high range of 20 kHz.

Obviously, firecrackers of even lower decibels, then, can drive the

animals crazy. "

 

Dr V Chariar, a practicing veterinarian in the city informs that many pet

owners get their dogs to his clinic 3-4 days before Diwali every year. " We

give anti-anxiety drugs for their pet dogs to reduce their fear and other

feelings when crackers are being burst, " he says, explaining that a normal

cracker sounds like a bomb to dogs due to their acute hearing capability.

" The fumes and noise of crackers force the pets to hide under cots and

furniture, " he adds.

Dharnendra Sangavi, trustee of the animal NGO Karuna says, " Fear of loud

noises, including fireworks, thunder and cars can cause dogs and other

animals to panic and run away. In the process they might injure themselves

and others around. "

 

For stray animals, on the other hand, it’s a different story. As Anuradha

Ramaswami, Trustee, SPCA explains, " No one takes care of animals when

bursting firecrackers. With every nook filled will children bursting

crackers, stray animals can only run around trying to hide from the

noise. " She informs that this is a serious offence under the Prevention of

Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and is a punishable offence if proved, with

fine, imprisonment or both.

 

" In many areas people play the most inhuman game of tying firecrackers on

dogs and donkeys’ tails and letting them loose, watching the fun while the

animals run around panic-stricken and ultimately burn themselves, " reveals

Majumdar.

 

Pet owners can take extra precaution to pacify their pets. But can

anything be done for stray animals? " Firecrackers not only harm the

environment but also scare innocent birds and animals. In Diwali holidays,

concerned citizens may help these frightened animals by providing a

temporary local shelter, " says Nilesh Bhanage, General Secretary, Plant

and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS).

 

TIPS FOR PET OWNERS DURING DIWALI

* During noisy festivals like Diwali, create a safe place for the pet to

hide from frightening noises, such as under the bed

* Give them access to any place they prefer

* Try to distract your pet in any activity that distracts them from being

afraid, their favourite game, a chew toy, etc

* Take your pet to a veterinarian and check if they need to be given

anti-anxiety drugs a week or two before Diwali