GEORGE NEWS - Thousands of illegal fireworks were confiscated on New Year's Eve with the help of Pop (public order police), the police and the Garden Route SPCA. According to the Garden Route SPCA, this was the worst festive season regarding the use of fireworks by far.
Wendy Jones, committee chairperson of the SPCA, says inspectors accompanied by two police officers and three law enforcement officers, went to numerous shops and stalls in the George city centre and Blanco, where they found massive amounts of illicit fireworks.
Garden Route SPCA manager Frieda Jansen van Rensburg, confirmed the exercise was successful and thanked everyone involved for their efforts.
Jones says they also have numerous animals in their care that were traumatised physically and emotionally by fireworks exploding all over George. "A spaniel was ripped open by two frightened, bigger dogs after it bolted in terror when fireworks were detonated. Sadly it is one of many that have been found. Three frightened dogs were found in a shopping centre and one in a drain. I can only assume that these places were devoid of people and therefore quieter. The staff doing their rounds in and around George from the 30th, said some areas sounded like war zones."
She said in the parking area outside Shoprite in the CBD, vendors were openly dealing in illegal fireworks and a bakkie filled to the brim was spotted by inspector Salome Bruyns. The owner ran away. Bruyns stood next to the bakkie until officers arrived to impound the vehicle with its load.
Jones said despite the ban on the use of fireworks without a municipal permit, shoppers were seen all around town openly carrying fireworks. Many fines were issued by the police and law enforcement, but sadly it was not enough to prevent the mayhem.
Jones said people have been crying out on social media for a ban on fireworks, and the support of the George community is very important to help motivate a complete ban.
Article submitted by Wendy Jones, SPCA volunteer.
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