In India, Diwali is the busiest time for veterinarians and animal shelters. It is because at this time, the streets become ten times more dangerous for stray animals, as humans in their verve for celebration tend to neglect their civic sense and empathy for animals. This year in particular does not bode well, as the blanket ban imposed on bursting of firecrackers in Delhi in 2024 has been relaxed for 2025, with the Supreme Court making allowance for NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) approved green crackers, at certain hours each day from October 18 to 21.
Each year, around 20,000 stray dogs suffer injuries during the Diwali celebrations, of which about 6,000 prove to be fatal. Stray cats are also affected, with about 10,000 injuries reported, and about 2,500 deaths, as per records maintained by Humane World for Animals, India. These include instances of smoke inhalation, heavy metal poisoning, relocation of strays, burn injuries from rogue firecrackers and instances of cruelty by humans. “Animal shelters report a 70% increase in stray dog intakes and a 50% rise in stray cat admissions during the festival,” says HWA. Strays include dogs, cats, cows, birds and undomesticated animals living in or near urban areas.
Cruelty by humans
Animal rescuers and activists will attest that stray animals also suffer cruelty from human beings during the festival. Manish Pande, assistant manager, community engagement, companion animals and engagement, Humane World for Animals India, says the lives of stray animals are at risk of much more than just being targeted by humans for fun. “Burns, skin problems, indigestion from eating leftover food,noise stress, and general anxiety are the most common dangers for strays and dogs during this festival.”
Vishakha Shukla, founder of Nawabi Tails animal shelter, recalls: “Last year, we rescued a cow whose entire face had been blown up by a firecracker. We found the cow after two days of the incident. It took her eight months to fully recover from the injury, but she is missing half her face, which naturally inhibits her in many ways.”
Shukla says they have also witnessed cases where people tie a Diwali bomb to a stray dog’s tail and set it alight. Some people put firecrackers in animals’ mouths too, and also terrorise and chase them with firecrackers. “A large number of rescues with burn injuries from Diwali do not make it, because they are found late and there is a delay in the medical attention they require immediately.”
She adds that aerial fireworks like rockets are similarly dangerous for birds and monkeys or animals that typically live at a height. The burning or toxic remnants of these firecrackers fall at indiscriminate locations, and pose a serious threat to the lives of birds.
Dalia Jacob, senior manager, community engagement, companion animals and engagement, HWA, echoes this point saying that even HWA has recorded an increase in instances of cruelty towards animals during the festive days of Diwali. “There are many cases of cruelty toward strays during Diwali, like accidents from reckless driving and intentional harm,” she says. She adds that these actions are cruel and illegal and individuals who harm animals can face legal consequences under the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals (PCA) Act of 1960, which outlines acts of cruelty against animals, and their corresponding penalties.
Mental & long-term risks
Pande of HWA says many of these can also turn fatal, or can lead to lasting physical and psychological problems for the animals. For starters, the noise from firecrackers is far above the decibel level that is safe for stray dogs in particular. Anything above 70 dB can be harmful for a dog’s hearing, whereas regulations in India allow for firecrackers to be as loud as 125 dB to 145 dB at 4 metres.
Further, food on the roadside becomes doubly dangerous as remains of fireworks gets mixed with it. Animals also inhale a lot of toxic smoke from the firecrackers, besides the mental stress of a violent atmosphere. A spokesperson for Little Paws Vet Clinic in New Delhi echoed this premise, saying, “Diwali is a time that we brace for as a vet clinic. We get a lot of concerns from pet owners regarding how their pets have become reclusive and exhibit behavioural changes during and post Diwali due to the trauma from the noise and cacophony.”
Shukla, with her shelter in UP that houses nearly 500 rescued animals, says this year cases of cruelty have already increased due to the Supreme Court verdict on relocation of dogs that angered several civilians. “But every year during and after Diwali, we see a nearly 35% rise in rescues and animals needing medical care at our shelter.” Relocation of stray dogs and cats is another major factor. The noises and explosions scare the strays to run away from their territories, “Now this is particularly damaging for dogs since they are territorial animals,” explains Shukla. “We see numerous cases of small puppies running away and landing up in another territory, and unable to find their way back. And in such cases they are often attacked by the dogs of that area.”
Be a good Samaritan
A viral video of a dog running desperately with a firecracker tied to its tail made the news last year. It wasn’t the first one. Even outside of festivals, the same year a report from Chandigarh spoke of a dog that was set on fire after being thrown in a ditch by a farmer. A large number of these instances understandably go unreported. As per the Supreme Court guidelines, localities and residential societies are meant to have separate feeding and drinking water areas for stray dogs and animals of the area. This is to encourage animal lovers to restrict their interactions with strays to a certain area so that others are not bothered, and it is also to ensure the safety of the animals straying into areas where Diwali celebrations are at their peak.
Pande advises that firecrackers should be abandoned altogether, and Shukla agrees, echoing that it does not take raucous fireworks and pollution to celebrate. If not, choosing ones with low volume is advised. The allowance on firecrackers does not absolve citizens of the responsibility to ensure the safety of humans and animals. Further, Shukla urges that resident welfare associations and community feeders should set up drinking water areas and designate feeding areas for stray animals that will not be littered and misused by other residents. “Creating a shaded and safe area for strays in the garage or garden is also a great initiative if civilians are motivated to do so,” says Shukla.
Her most insistent request to civilians was to also look out for the dogs that might get lost amidst the chaos. She advises, “Community feeders can put temporary collars on the locality dogs, with the name of the neighbourhood and a phone number written on it. That way if the dog has gone missing and relocated, they can be returned.”
Diwali fallout on strays (Source: HWA)
- Dog injuries 5,000-7,000
- Dog deaths 15,000-20,000
- Cat injuries 5,000-10,000
- Cat deaths 2,000-3,000
To be a responsible citizen
- Separate feeding and drinking water areas for strays
- Abandon firecrackers. If not, choose low dB ones
- Look out for lost dogs in locality
- Don’t burn crackers exploding at a height
- Put collars on locality strays with contact info so they can be returned to their territory
