While city enjoyed Deepavali, animals, flight schedules hit hard

Deepavali has not been kind to animals this year, thanks to revellers. Three cows and two calves were charred to death in Chitalapakkam after the shed they were housed in caught fire when a burning firecracker fell on it. 

However, 25-year-old TM Velu, a volunteer, was able to rescue three other cows from the shed, with the help of other animal activists. The rescued cows are currently undergoing treatment for burns. 

While the city was busy bursting crackers on Wednesday, 25-year-old Velu, a table tennis coach from Royapettah, helped save many animals. A volunteer with Blue Cross of India, Velu said, “It was a busy day and we rescued about 10 animals, apart from helping others.” 

JS Dharmadheeran, Chief General Manager, Blue Cross, said, “This year, more animals were injured by the sound of the fire crackers. They get distressed with all the noise and run helter-skelter. 

That is when they run into moving vehicles and hurt themselves,” he said. By Thursday morning, the organisation had received 52 distress calls and had addressed 27 of them. Most of the dogs that they saved had broken their limbs and some had injured their jaws after running into cars. 

All of them are being treated at the shelter. Animal lovers across the city formed groups to help animals in distress. Santhosh Kumar (22) and Vivek (26), helped Velu in rescue efforts. 

Vivek said, “We have a network of volunteers. Whenever we receive a distress call, we connect with the volunteer nearest, so that the animal gets help as soon as possible.” At 8 pm on Wednesday, Dinesh Baba, who runs Cloud No 9 Kennel and Nursing Care, rescued a dog, which lost one of its eyes to a fire cracker. 

“It was apparently running on the road in Velachery when a cracker hit its left eye. Our doctors treated him, but could not save his eye,” said the 30-year-old. Baba too has a team of 15 to 20 volunteers. They received about 50 distress calls and rescued around 20 dogs, including five pedigree ones. While some had minor injuries, and were let off after treatment, others needed more time and care. Animal activists expect more calls on injured animals after Deepavali, as most injured animals choose to go into hiding. 

“People are busy celebrating. It is only when the air clears and the celebrations are over, will the dogs come out of hiding and that is when the calls will start pouring in,” said Baba.