The Pune Municipal Corporation has appealed to residents to avoid bursting firecrackers near animals during Diwali, warning that deafening and sudden noise can cause fear, stress, injuries and disruption to the natural behaviour of dogs, cats and other animals.
The civic body’s veterinary department said animals may try to hide or run away when startled by loud explosions. During the resulting panic, they can be injured in traffic, on construction debris or in other unsafe surroundings. In some situations, frightened animals may also behave defensively and attack people who approach them.
Dr Sarika Bhosale-Phunde, chief veterinary officer of the Pune Municipal Corporation, said firecracker noise can affect animals’ rest, feeding and drinking schedules as well as their normal behaviour. The impact can be particularly serious for elderly, sick and young animals, whose health may be more vulnerable to intense noise and stress.
The civic appeal asks residents not to burst firecrackers close to animals and to remain sensitive to the fear and pain experienced by animals during the festival. It also urges citizens to consider animal safety while celebrating Diwali rather than treating distress caused to animals as part of the festivities.
The municipal veterinary department further warned that deliberately harming animals can attract legal action. According to the department, beating animals, tying firecrackers to their tails, burning them or intentionally injuring them may be punishable under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
The department also said that if such acts leave an animal injured or result in its death, a case may be registered under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It said the provision includes the possibility of imprisonment of up to five years, a fine or both. These legal provisions were cited by the civic veterinary authorities in their appeal to residents.
Bhosale-Phunde said incidents involving stray dogs, including tying firecrackers to their tails and setting them off, amount to cruelty and are offences under animal-protection law. She urged residents not to burst firecrackers near animals or use them to deliberately frighten or injure them.
The appeal places responsibility on residents to prevent avoidable harm in neighbourhoods where people, street animals and pets share public spaces. The municipal veterinary department’s request is aimed at ensuring that Diwali celebrations do not expose animals to unnecessary danger or lead to complaints and legal action over cruelty.
