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New Year's Eve: Oipa video-decalogue to protect animals from firecrackers and Chinese lanterns.

OIPA has created a video with 10 rules to protect domestic and wild animals during New Year's Eve, explaining the risks associated with firecrackers and Chinese lanterns.

New Year's Eve: Oipa video-decalogue to protect animals from firecrackers and Chinese lanterns.

Even the wild animals suffer from the explosions of firecrackers, becoming the most numerous victims. Even the Chinese lanterns can be lethal.

The beginning of the year is upon us, bringing with it the usual problem of firecrackers and fireworks explosions. To inform dog and cat owners on how to behave to keep them safe during New Year's Eve, theInternational Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA) he created a video-decalogue to avoid deaths, injuries and losses terrified animals.

It is not uncommon for frightened animals to escape from gardens and yards, ending up lost or run over. Older animals or animals with heart disease can die of heart attacks. Even wildlife – birds and animals in parks and woods – frightened by the noise and sudden lights become disoriented, crashing into trees, walls, windows, electrical cables or ending up under cars.

also the "Chinese lanterns", often flown on New Year's Eve, can cause injury and death to animals. There have been cases involving wild and domestic animals burned, strangled or died from internal bleeding after ingesting the sharp metal of the lantern skeleton. Furthermore, their uncontrolled flight is a forest fire risk.

Municipal ordinances and the Oipa decalogue
Some Italian municipalities have already issued ordinances to ban the use of firecrackers for New Year's Eve celebrations, but too many citizens continue this anachronistic tradition, also due to the scarcity of checks.

"To prevent the last day of the year from turning into a drama or tragedy for animals, we have drawn up a decalogue with rules and suggestions to secure and reassure your four-legged family member. The beginning of the new year should be a joy for everyone, not a reason for terror", explains the president of OIPA, Massimo Comparotto.

At the same time, Comparotto calls on law enforcement to make checks a priority, repressing irresponsible conduct in the use of firecrackers.

Here are the 10 points of the OIPA Decalogue:

  1. Let's keep animals away from celebrations and places where firecrackers are exploded.
  2. Let's not leave them alone: they may have uncontrolled reactions and hurt themselves. We stay close to them, appear calm and distract them.
  3. Let's not leave them in the garden: let's keep them indoors or in a protected place to prevent escapes.
  4. Let's turn up the volume of radio or television, closing windows and shutters to reduce outside noise.
  5. Let's leave it that way they take refuge wherever they prefer, even if it is a place that is usually off-limits.
  6. During the walks, let's always keep them on a leash to avoid escapes dictated by fear.
  7. Let's consult a veterinary behaviorist to evaluate supportive therapy, if necessary.
  8. Let's avoid DIY tranquilizers, which could be contraindicated and make the situation worse.
  9. Let's organize a day trip to spend New Year's Eve away from the noise of the city.
  10. We ask the Municipality for ordinances against firecrackers and raise public awareness of the damage caused to our animal friends.

Regulations and alternative proposals

There is a law that prohibits the explosion of firecrackers or fireworks in the vicinity of people and animals, providing compensation for damages. Such conduct may have criminal relevance.

OIPA hopes for a legislative ban on the use of firecrackers and fireworks, inviting municipalities to adopt in the meantime effective measures, proposing alternatives such as silent fires or drone light shows.

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