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Dear editor I recently made myself a target and posted on the Living in Cochrane FB page about the suffering of animals (especially dogs and horses) due to fireworks. My take was that they are banned in many countries, they cause immense suffering to dogs and really what are they good for. So I am proposing a ban and will continue to campaign on this topic with local councilors. What surprised me though was the laughter from some people and the assertion that somehow Albertans are soft to care about animal suffering. Of course I was made out to be some selfish prick that sits on a high horse directing what others should do. I guess it is a trigger conversation for some but it sure is eye-opening that you can be attacked for caring. I will say that I was gratified to see that the fireworks here in Cochrane on New Year’s were short-lived and seemed to be away from residential areas and ranches. In summing up I would also like to say that I’ve lived in Latin America for many years where daily fireworks are a fact of life and I’ve witnessed firsthand the damage and fear caused to dogs and cats. That is obviously not the case here in Cochrane but those experiences have certainly coloured my thoughts on the subject and I would still stand by my assertion that fireworks are something that is not needed in the 21st century in a modern civilized nation. Happy New Year Kevin A Whelan Glenbow Dr. |
