Ranchi Diwali firecrackers are prompting animal abuse complaints and warnings from veterinarians, after an activist said he witnessed two men throwing firecrackers at stray dogs as the city prepared for the festival. Animal welfare concerns include deliberate attacks, extreme noise, bright flashes and chemical residue left on roads.
Animal activist Archie Sen said he chased the two men for nearly a kilometre on Friday after seeing them allegedly hurl firecrackers at stray dogs. According to Sen, the men said they were doing it for fun when he confronted them. He said similar incidents were reported every year during Diwali, with residents contacting him about animals injured by firecrackers.
By Saturday afternoon, Sen said he had received three complaints involving firecracker-related animal abuse. He also said he typically spends Diwali responding to distress calls, rescuing injured puppies or visiting police stations to lodge complaints against people accused of harming animals.
The risks are not limited to animals that are deliberately targeted. Veterinarian Dr Suranjan Sarkar said the sound of firecrackers can cause severe pain, cardiac stress and extreme anxiety because animals have hypersensitive hearing. He warned that the chemical fallout from burnt fireworks could create additional health problems.
Sarkar advised pet owners to prepare a safe indoor space before the festivities begin. Heavy curtains, secured doors and ambient music can help reduce the impact of noise, he said. Ear covers and anti-anxiety medication may also assist highly sensitive pets, but medication should be used only under veterinary guidance.
Stray cattle and birds face different risks because they cannot always move quickly to safer locations. Dr Saurabh Singh said residents could provide temporary shelter for vulnerable animals in secure stairwells, covered garages or quiet alleyways. He also urged vehicle owners to check beneath parked cars before starting their engines, as frightened animals may hide there during periods of intense noise.
Birds may become disoriented by explosions and flashes, potentially preventing them from returning safely to their nests, Singh said. Stray cattle can also be exposed to danger because of their size and limited ability to find shelter quickly in crowded urban areas.
Firecracker residue creates a further hazard after the noise subsides. According to the veterinarians cited in the report, animals may ingest chemical residue while foraging or grooming. This makes roads, parking areas and other shared urban spaces potential exposure points for pets and strays after celebrations.
The reported incidents place responsibility on both residents and local authorities to respond to complaints of deliberate animal abuse and to reduce avoidable risks in neighbourhoods. For pet owners, the immediate steps advised by veterinarians are to secure animals indoors, reduce noise entering homes and seek professional guidance before using medication. Residents have also been urged to check parked vehicles and offer temporary shelter to animals seeking refuge during the festivities.
