Awareness drives help animals this Diwali in city

According to veterinarians and animal rescue workers in the city, there were fewer cases of injured animals reported this Diwali. It is believed the shift is due to the anti-cracker awareness drives that have been conducted in schools and pre-schools for many years.

Dr Deepa Katyal, a veterinary doctor from Chembur, said, "Last year, my clinic saw 12 injured animals and birds during Diwali. This time the number has reduced by half. I did not see a single case of cruelty this year either. I believe many children preferred celebrating a safe Diwali this year due to the awareness among them. It could be why cases of injured animals and birds have come down."

Omkar Rane of Animal Rescue Squad said, "This year, I found three cases of injured stray dogs during Diwali. Last year it was almost 13. Awareness has definitely increased among children but it needs to be spread to economically weaker sections too."

The fewer cases were noticed by the Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) in Parel as well. Dr Mayur Dangar, Manager, SPCA Hospital, said, "We organised several awareness programmes for many school students. The students were educated about not bursting firecrackers below trees as that scares away birds, and on how firecrackers are harmful to animals. This year we got two burn cases of stray dogs and one stray dog came with an asthma complaint."