The evening of Halloween, I witnessed a horrific scene on my farm, due to thoughtless people, close to my property line.
This scene was a show of fiery, LOUD fireworks, approximately 18 metres from my goat house. I found my goats in a hysterical frenzy, literally bouncing from wall to wall. Trying to calm all four, they all collapsed in a stall corner, in a heap, heaving and gasping for breath. I sat with them for a duration, until their breathing returned to normal. The look of fear, terror, and helplessness in their eyes was so sad, nothing I have ever seen before. This discharging of fireworks so close to an animal enclosure was a vicious act of animal cruelty. Pets, livestock and wildlife come to great harm when there is trauma caused by fright.
Publications were placed in the newspaper prior to Halloween by the CVRD. A Discharge Permit is required, and all requirements are to be met. A requirement under Bylaw No. 39 “prohibits discharge of fireworks within 500 metres of livestock property”. This utter act of ignorance was within metres of livestock property. My farm is my livelihood, and the farm and my surrounding community is my passion. This has broken my heart, and almost killed my goat herd.
The sales of fireworks are illegal on southern Vancouver Island to the Cassidy Airport. From the airport north, anyone can purchase fireworks. I can see that some day there will be a total ban, if fireworks are not discharged with respect to all. So the very people that enjoy fireworks, but do not abide by bylaws, will be the demise of fireworks.
Rose Rogan
Sahtlam
