Firecrackers frighten street dogs, many go missing during Tihar

The sound of firecrackers during Tihar has frightened street dogs, with many reportedly disappearing from their usual locations as they seek safer places to hide. Aniket Kapali, who feeds street dogs from his own earnings every day, said nearly half of the dogs that usually came for food in his area were missing when he went to feed them during the festival. “Perhaps because of the firecrackers, nearly half of the dogs that come regularly for food were nowhere to be seen today.

I took food for them, but had to throw away half of it because I could not find them,” he wrote. Bhagwati Dani Chhetri, who has also been feeding street dogs for a long time, said firecrackers had left many dogs distressed. Other animal feeders have reported similar experiences, saying they have had to return home with uneaten food because the dogs were missing.

Dogs are particularly sensitive to loud noises because of their acute hearing. The sudden, loud explosions can cause severe distress and, in extreme cases, hearing injuries. Frightened dogs often hide, tremble or flee to unfamiliar places.