With New Year celebrations approaching, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) renewed its call to ban and avoid firecrackers, warning that animals remain the primary victims of loud explosions and toxic smoke.
PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera said the group continues its annual campaign against firecracker use, citing recurring harm to pets, wildlife, and even people with respiratory conditions.
“Ang gusto talaga namin matigil na iyong pagpaputok tuwing New Year. Taon-taon ginagawa namin ito, [at] nababawasan naman sa palagay namin iyong gumagamit ng paputok. Kasi ito ay nakakapinsala sa ating mga alagang hayop. Sila iyong number one na biktima,” Cabrerad said.
PAWS noted a yearly spike in reports of missing pets, runaway dogs, and animal cruelty during New Year’s Eve as animals panic from the noise.
Cabrera recalled past cases where dogs were seriously injured or killed while trying to escape.
“Kung maalala niyo iyong sa Valenzuela, iyong naputol iyong dila ng aso, kaya iyon tumakbo palabas ay sa tindi ng takot sa paputok. So, talagang kawawa iyong mga aso at pusa dahil mas sensitive iyong pandinig nila,” she said.
She stressed that firecrackers also harm wildlife.
“Kasi kita naman natin e’, maski sa tao, may epekto. So, what more doon sa mga maliliit na creatures na mas vulnerable,” Cabrera added.
PAWS warned pet owners against leaving animals outdoors, citing cases of dogs strangling themselves on chains, escaping, or dying from extreme stress. The group also raised alarm over deliberate cruelty, including people throwing firecrackers at stray animals.
“Nagkakaroon ng mga reports na may mga tao na naghahagis ng paputok sa mga stray dogs or stray cats bilang katuwaan. Ito ay animal cruelty at maari kayong mapatawan ng parusa, ng pagkakakulong na hanggang dalawang taon and fine of up to ₱250,000,” she said.
While urging the public to completely avoid firecrackers, PAWS advised pet owners to keep animals indoors, away from smoke and noise, use white noise or music, provide safe hiding spaces, and consider calming or anxiety wraps to reduce stress during fireworks.