Use of firecrackers is banned near shelters, zoos and other facilities. (source: TASR)
It happens every year around this time. Animal shelter employees find dogs desperately biting into every obstacle to escape explosions, shaken, with muzzles and paws covered in blood. Some have burns, lose their eyesight or are hit by a car.
In the zoo, for example, chimpanzees have a hard time coping with the firecracker noise. When they do not see its source, it scares them. Some individuals cope with stress by attacking others in the enclosure. A few years ago, a young female llama died upon crashing into a gate at full speed after being startled by explosions.
In connection with the New Year's Eve celebrations, the Bratislava Zoo and the Sloboda Zvierat shelter are calling on people to not use firecrackers and instead become "a silent hero".
No sedating in the zoo
On January 2, 2024, a new law came into effect, restricting the sale of fireworks and firecrackers. The latter are also banned from being used within 250 metres from facilities such as rescue stations, zoos, stables with farm animals, and hospitals. A person who disobeys can be fined up to €2,000.
Fireworks that create light effects are an exception, but only overnight from December 31 to January 1, from 18:00 to 2:00.
Zoo employees do not want to sedate the animals and have never done so. They are cooperating with the Bratislava city police, who are patrolling the zoo and the nearby animal shelter more intensively.
Lanterns are also concern, especially after they caused a fire in the German zoo Krefeld, killing 50 monkeys.
Check chip, transponder data
The Sloboda Zvierat shelter is bracing for the celebrations.
"There are always at least ten dogs that escape their owners. Some do not even survive the night due to stress, while it takes others several days to recover from the trauma. Even though this repeats every year, animals perceive firecracker explosions as a disaster," explains Kristína Devínska from the shelter.
Sloboda Zvierat recommends dog owners to check the data on the transponder in the Central Register of Companion Animals. Lost pets can be then returned to their owners easily.
If you find a stray animal, contact the city police by calling 159. The police will then contact the shelter. If you find an injured animal other than a dog or cat, contact the rescue facilities recommended by the State Nature Conservation Agency. You can find them here.
