MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A Mossel Bay animal rights lobbyist wants fireworks banned totally in the area.

Currently a municipal by-law prohibits fireworks, except for the annual display at the Hartenbos Seefront every New Year's eve. 

Steven Montgomery, who is a dog trainer and who raises funds for animal welfare organisations, has been handing out anti-fireworks pamphlets, printed at his own expense. 

He is also urging people who themself or whose pets have been negatively affected by fireworks, to go to police stations and write out affidavits.

Montgomery points out that mentally disabled people and dementia and Alzheimer's disease sufferers are traumatised by fireworks. 

He wants the municipality not to grant a licence for the annual fireworks display at Hartenbos Seefront.

'Animals get lost and die' 

He says: "Besides domestic animals that get lost and die each year because of the fireworks, mentally disabled people and those suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia literally think there is a war going on and their family members or caregivers have to sit up all night trying to calm them or they have to sedate them. 

"Water magnifies sound. Each year whales and dolphins leave their calves behind as they try to flee. Seals leave their pups behind. 

"Animals in the green strips leave their offspring, which means they die, because they do not get food.

"Animals in shelters and sanctuaries run into fences and break their necks or injure themselves badly. Birds and other animal species die of stress." 

'Environmentally friendly' 

Montgomery points out: "There are environmentally friendly ways to celebrate New Year, such as drone, laser or water fountain shows."

He says: "The rubber duck races that take place in the bay during whale season are also unacceptable."

Montgomery notes that it is visitors to town who bring fireworks, not the residents. He wants those who write affidavits complaining about fireworks to forward the affidavits to him. 

"I will take them to Law Enforcement and they take them to the magistrate's court.” 

Mossel Bay Advertiser asked the municipality for comment. 

'Tried many avenues' 

It noted it had "tried many avenues to have fireworks and the discharge thereof banned. This includes provincial and national platforms." 

The municipality stated: "The Department of Trade and Industry allows the import, distribution and sale of fireworks. In terms of national legislation, fireworks are not illegal."

The municipality abandoned any pyrotechnical displays, as included in the Dias Festival, years ago. Pyrotechnical displays formed part of the festival twice between 2012 and 2014, it stated. 

'Restricting use as much as possible'

Also, the municipality extended its anti-fireworks stand by restricting use as much as possible through a stringent by-law: no fireworks in public places, or 500 metres away from a public place without the necessary permission granted, it noted. 

The municipality stated: "Permissions for fireworks displays are granted by the South African Police Services' (SAPS) Bomb Disposal Unit." 

Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services is responsible for fire safety inspection at events approved by SAPS. 

"For years, the only pyrotechnics display which permission has been granted for, has been the New Year’s Eve celebrations hosted by Hartenbos Seefront," the municipality stated. 

'Vigilant' 

"During the December holiday season, municipal Law Enforcement officials are vigilant during patrols to prohibit the sale and possession of fireworks in public places. 

"Please note that the municipal Law Enforcement mandate in this regard pertains to public places." 

The municipality points out that enforcement of the laws regarding the keeping and sale of fireworks is the mandate of the police.

Hartenbos Seefront manager Denise Lloyd said the Seefront was applying again this year to do the fireworks display. 

She noted that it had been a tradition for the past eight years. 

A professional pyrotechnician had made the application to the municipality on behalf of the Seefront, she said. 

The Seefront had received lots of requests from people for the fireworks display to take place again this year and 14 000 to 16 000 people watched it each year, she said.

'Discharged illegally' 

Lloyd noted that members of the public without licences discharged fireworks on New Year's eve illegally. 

She pointed out that there was a large display at Dias Beach last year that was not legal.

Lloyd pointed out that the Seefront fireworks display was in a non-residential area, surrounded by a caravan park and holiday accommodation where there were no pets. 

She said the Seefront made the public aware of the fireworks display in good time before the event and had even provided free herbal tranquilisers for pets in the past, but people did not make use of the free offer.

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