This article is from page 14 of the 2006-10-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
AS FIREWORKS continue to plague communities all over Ennis, households have again been reminded to keep pets indoors in the run up to Halloween.
Clare ISPCA Officer, Frank Coote has reminded pet owners to leave their animals indoors at night due to fireworks being let off
He said many more dogs go missing at this time of year than at any other, with recent figures showing that up to 12 dogs a week are reported lost.
“Dogs get frightened and run away but there’s also a risk with cats, horses and cattle. With dogs I would advise people to keep them in and leave the radio on. Dogs on the street don’t seem to mind as much, it’s mainly dogs that have been well-looked after. If they get out they could go for miles. Just because a dog is found in Scariff doesn’t mean it couldn’t have come from Ennis”
In relation to injuries resulting from fireworks and bonfires, Mr Coote said Clare had a good record compared to ther counties.
“Luckily it doesn’t seem to happen as often in Clare as other places. I’ve talked to animal welfare officers in other counties and you hear some real horror stories. There is the issue of bonfires. Kittens are likely to climb into them as they are being made”
Mr Coote also reminded people if they find a lost animal they should report it straight away.
“We are legally obliged to keep animals for five days around this time but we would usually keep them for eight days”
Meanwhile, residents living in the vicinity of St Flannan’s College say the area is being used by gangs of young people to let off fire works.
Fed up residents say noisy fireworks are being let off at night and that large groups are congregating and drinking in the grounds at the weekend.
Fireworks of various descriptions with names like Black Cats, Screamers and Texas Rangers are said to be on sale in the town, with prices ranging from 50c to €20.
The Gardaí have warned they will continue to take a firm stance on anyone caught in possession of fireworks.
Crime Prevention Officer Seargent Joe Downey said,“I would re-iterate what we would have said before and that is that anyone found in possession of illegal fireworks will find themselves in the local district court. People should have more consideration for their neighbours and also for animals”