Diwali Fireworks Scare Bengaluru Dogs: Nearly 100 Go Missing

Diwali is a time of joy and cheer. However, this was not the reality for our beloved pets and community dogs. Nearly 100 dogs have been reported missing in the aftermath of Diwali fireworks.

Bruno, who lives in Rajajinagar, has not returned to his usual spot since the evening of October 20. Local residents last saw him near the neighborhood temple. Vasanth, outside whose home Bruno would often sit, is deeply saddened. “Every Diwali, I take him inside my house and close the doors and windows. But this time, I went to visit my in-laws,” says the 33-year-old engineer. He has since put up multiple posters around the area and continues to scout for Bruno.

About 10 km away, Gautami and her family are slowly losing hope of finding their pet cat, Whitey. “She has never stayed away for this long. We just hope she is okay,” says Gautami. The family has spread the word about Whitey’s disappearance across social media and hopes to find her soon.

People across the city have started various WhatsApp groups to help locate the lost dogs. One such group, started by a resident in Cooke Town, now has over 200 members and is tracking nearly 400 missing dogs.

Cracker bursting was officially allowed in Bengaluru only on October 21 and 22 between 8 and 10 p.m. However, many citizens did not follow these timings, as celebrations continued well beyond 10 p.m. This calls for stricter enforcement of rules. Government officials must ensure compliance and impose penalties on those who break the law.

It's almost been two weeks since Diwali. But many pet parents and pet lovers are frantically searching for their furry friends. This serves as a strong reminder that one being's celebration should never cause harm to another being. Let us be more conscious and cautious of how our actions can affect others.