BAN FIREWORKS NOW!

This pledge is used by the SPCA:

"VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS

Because I believe that animals should not be frightened, because I believe that fireworks pollute the atmosphere and because I believe that consumers have the power to make change for the good: - I pledge not to use fireworks and I give an undertaking not to support outlets that trade in fireworks.

This aim of this petition is to show support and commitment to a ban on the import and sale of exploding fireworks to ordinary citizens and minors in South Africa, and to restrict the use of such fireworks solely to areas and dates set aside for authorized fireworks displays in safe areas where they can do no harm to property, animals or people.

Animal shelters are always short of funds and are overrun with unwanted or lost animals. Surely this is more than enough without adding to this the "festive season" influx of terrified, lost, injured and maimed animals resulting from the careless and increasingly deliberate abuse of explosives?

What can YOU do to change things? Well, you can take an interest to begin with. How about boycotting all the shops that sell them for a start? Join this group on Facebook: "BAN FIREWORKS IN SOUTH AFRICA!" http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=262157673474 and offer your help in getting fireworks banned in SA. Add the names of businesses that sell or
import fireworks for public use to the boycott list http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=262157673474&topic=13231 in the discussion forum. Add your voice to the call to ban fireworks by spreading the news, signing petitions (like this one) and asking others to support this cause.

Children play with fireworks, they buy them over the counter at their corner cafe's. A small firework the size of a point 22 caliber bullet contains about the same amount of gunpowder - and therefore the same amount of lethal force. Kids have lost fingers, eyes and hands through playing with fireworks - who can forget the kid who thought putting a lit firecracker in his friends trouser pocket would be funny? The child had his genitals blown off - very funny indeed.

Would you let your kid play with a bullet or a gun? No, but you're letting them play with explosives that could cost them an eye, a finger or their own life - or the life of a friend, with two legs or four.

You know what to do, you know the answer to this problem:

Ban fireworks - because it is the right thing to do.

By signing this petition, you are signifying your full agreement with the statements both above and below:

"I believe how people view human rights can be determined by how they treat animals - if you consider all the animals killed deliberately by fireworks every year, aside from those who were injured directly or indirectly, or because they were terrified by the noise - the case doesn't look too good for either.

I am signing this petition against the real, deliberate cruelty to animals - specifically the careless and wanton use of fireworks in South Africa. The DELIBERATE cruelty that manifests through the easy availability of fireworks is truly sickening.

I am repulsed and angered that every year there are reports of fireworks related deaths and injuries suffered by both humans and animals, and every year, the same appeal to put an end to this senseless slaughter and mayhem - and every year nothing changes."

By adding my signature to this petition I say: "Enough is enough!"