The Echoes of Diwali: How Bengaluru's Loudest Celebration Left Our Four-Legged Friends Lost and Terrified

Ah, Diwali. The festival of lights, of joy, of families coming together. But for many, especially our animal companions, this year’s celebrations in Bengaluru — frankly, they felt more like a terrifying ordeal. You see, the cacophony of loud firecrackers, for all their dazzling spectacle, has left a heartbreaking trail: a surge in missing stray animals, and honestly, even beloved pets, wandering disoriented and afraid.

It’s a pattern we’ve seen before, of course, but this time? It felt different. The sheer volume, the relentless boom and bang, it seems, reached new, distressing heights. And the numbers, well, they paint a rather grim picture. Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, or CUPA as it’s better known, those wonderful people, found their helpline absolutely swamped. On Diwali day and the day after, they clocked a staggering twenty calls specifically about missing animals. Just missing animals, mind you.

Now, if we look back, just last year, that number hovered around twelve to fifteen. So, a significant jump, wouldn't you agree? Beyond those twenty, there were over fifty more calls, each one a testament to the chaos: loud noise complaints, reports of injured creatures, and, heartbreakingly, animals just paralyzed with fear. These poor strays, their senses overwhelmed, often bolt, running aimlessly until they're hopelessly lost, miles from any familiar scent or sight.

Sandeep Singh from CUPA, a man who knows these streets and these animals intimately, put it plainly, really. He explained how these strays, in their utter terror, often just run and run. They become disoriented, yes, and in their panicked flight, they might even wander into dangerous traffic. It's a tragedy waiting to happen, truly. He observed, as many of us did, that this year’s fireworks felt undeniably louder than those of previous years. And for an animal whose hearing is infinitely more sensitive than our own, that amplified noise isn't just annoying; it's physically painful, it’s a source of profound anxiety.

It's not just the strays either. Even cherished family pets, secured as we might think they are, can be profoundly affected. Radhika P, for instance, had a truly terrifying experience. Her own dog, utterly disoriented by the relentless noise, was found wandering precariously close to a busy main road. Imagine the sheer terror, the constant worry, until you're reunited with your beloved companion. It’s a stark reminder that even within the supposed safety of a home, the world outside can penetrate and shatter their peace.

So, what can we, as humans, do? Well, if your furry friend goes missing during such a distressing time, start by searching those familiar haunts, their favourite spots, their usual routes. Check with your local vets, put out feelers with animal welfare groups—CUPA, for one, is always a good start. And, of course, leverage social media; it can be a powerful tool for reuniting lost souls. Most importantly, perhaps, during these festivals, let’s be extra vigilant. Let’s secure our pets, and let's, just for a moment, consider the impact our celebrations have on the most vulnerable among us. Because honestly, the true spirit of any festival should never, ever come at the cost of another creature’s peace or safety.