Sri Lanka, April 22 -- The festive cheer of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has come under sharp criticism, with veterinary experts claiming that more than 10,000 cats and dogs have suffered hearing damage and disorientation due to firecrackers and fireworks.

The Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population has raised alarm over what it describes as a largely ignored crisis unfolding alongside celebrations.

Its advisor, Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, told the Daily Mirror that the impact of fireworks on animals is far more severe than most people realize.

"Cats and dogs possess significantly more sensitive hearing than humans. Dogs can detect frequencies up to 60,000 Hz, while cats can hear up to 85,000 Hz. These ra...