A dog in Delft, Cape Town, had to be put down after he was badly hurt trying to escape the noise of fireworks on Guy Fawkes night. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA said its calls rose by 59% compared with last year.
The SPCA inspectorate logged 81 calls during its Guy Fawkes response, up from 51 last year. Eight inspectors worked through the night, and at least five animals needed urgent care from a vet.
“Our thoughts are with his family. Every bang carries into the homes around you. Please think of the animals inside and celebrate without fireworks,” said Belinda Abraham, communications manager at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
Abraham said the dog, named Max, was inside his home when fireworks went off just after dark. His family had locked the security gate to keep him safe.
In his panic, Max tried to squeeze between the bars of the gate and was impaled, the SPCA said.
An SPCA collection officer rushed him to a private vet for emergency treatment. Officers from the City’s Law Enforcement Animal Control Auxiliary Unit escorted the vehicle.
A scan showed severe injuries to his intestines and bladder. The vet had to put him down, according to the SPCA.
The SPCA asked residents to watch out for animals that may still be scared, hurt or lost after the fireworks. People can report an animal in distress to the SPCA Inspectorate on 021 700 4158 or 021 700 4159. After hours, the number is 083 326 1604.
The City of Cape Town said it recorded 243 incidents linked to people setting off fireworks. It also received reports of stone throwing and other anti-social behaviour in some areas.
Fireworks incidents were reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre from areas such as Saxonsea in Atlantis, Lentegeur, Hanover Park and Surrey Estate. Calls also came from Manenberg, Mamre, Bonteheuwel and The Hague.
The City said the real number could be higher, because not every incident may have been reported to the centre.
Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said the night caused harm in several communities. “It has once again traumatised residents in affected communities and has put an extra burden on enforcement resources. The message should be clear: no more Guy Fawkes,” he said.
Dyason asked residents to help officers by reporting people who set off fireworks. “We hope that communities will assist officers in reporting the discharge of fireworks and that we will see a decline in incidents next year,” he said.
Guy Fawkes Day fell on Thursday, 5 November. In South Africa, people have long marked the day by setting off fireworks.
Many municipalities, including the City of Cape Town and Durban, have restricted or banned public fireworks displays in the past few years. They have done this to protect pets, wildlife and people in their communities.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.