Bengaluru: Over three days of Diwali fireworks across Bengaluru have left many pets and stray dogs frightened, disoriented, and missing, animal welfare activists said. Continuous loud noises have forced animals to run away in search of quiet spaces, leaving owners anxious and strays vulnerable to accidents and attacks.
According to Abhishek R Koundinya of United for Compassion, close to 100 cases of missing dogs were reported in the last four days through the WhatsApp community ‘Voice for our Voiceless’. “Many people are unaware of the immense challenges faced by relocated dogs. When these animals are moved from their familiar environments because of the loud noises, they often run for kilometres, desperately trying to find a safe place. Meanwhile, they are exposed to attacks from other dogs, danger from traffic, and the struggle to secure food and shelter,” he said.
Pet owners search desperately
Yash, a pet owner in Rajajinagar, has been searching for his Golden Retriever since Wednesday. “We are searching for her even as we wait for any leads through the messages we sent to help trace our pet,” he said. Social media and community platforms have become critical in helping locate missing pets and reuniting them with their owners.
Shailaja Ranganath, a resident of Banashankari, successfully reunited a lost pet dog with its owners on Thursday. “I found him wandering near my house in the morning. After alerting about it on WhatsApp communities, we were able to trace the owner,” she said, highlighting the role of local volunteers in mitigating distress caused by the festivities.
Stray dogs face heightened risks
While pets have the support of owners, stray and community dogs face even greater challenges. They struggle to find safe spaces away from loud noises, and the risk of traffic accidents, territorial fights with other animals, and hunger increases during festival days. Activists emphasised that many animals go missing because of fear and disorientation, often travelling long distances from their familiar environments.
Animal cruelty cases decline
Activists noted that instances of deliberate cruelty, such as tying fireworks to animals or throwing crackers at them, appear to have reduced this year. Koundinya said, “Last year, we came across such cases, and we went on to raise awareness about cruelty. No such cases have come to our notice this time.”
The trauma centre run by Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) confirmed that it had not received any reports of animals harmed by crackers as of Thursday, indicating that awareness campaigns may be having a positive impact.
Community efforts and conclusion
Animal welfare groups continue to coordinate with volunteers to track missing pets and safely return community dogs to their original locations. The collaborative effort between citizens and organisations has proved crucial in mitigating the stress caused to animals during the festival.
In conclusion, while the festive celebrations have been challenging for pets and strays, proactive steps by communities and animal welfare organisations have helped reduce injuries and cruelty, highlighting the importance of responsible celebrations.