Fireworks - Pets Hate Them!
by Dave Nicol.
An Overview
Boom! The first air-bomb of the year explodes outside and it's only mid-September. An early reminder of what's in store for pets and their owners from now until December, each year in the UK.
For thousands of pets the next few months are hell. The nightly barrage of whizzes, bangs from increasingly powerful fireworks turns these pets into anxious wrecks.
Pets are not alone. Many elderly people are also left intimidated and traumatised by irresponsible use of fireworks. Add in the hundreds of young people under 16 that will finish Fireworks Night with burns and one is left amazed that the fireworks problem is allowed to continue year on year.
A complete ban on the public sale and private use of these explosive devices would eliminate the problem overnight. There is public support for a ban on private fireworks a recent poll of citizens in Dundee showed over 80% support for such a ban). The question remains, why hasn't the government taken action to stop the annual mayhem that each Guy Fawkes Night heralds?
The Current Situation
The law as it stands allows any person over the age of eighteen, regardless of training or experience, to purchase fireworks category 3 and below (see House of Commons Research Paper of 1988 that describes these categories - link is in pdf format). The Department of Trade and Industry license a 4-week sales period beginning in October, during which the fireworks can be sold.
In practice this means that anyone who walks into a shop and looks eighteen can purchase an astonishing array of dangerous incendiary devices and small missiles.
Inevitably these fireworks seem to pass into the hands of a relatively small number of irresponsible adolescents who then cause the bedlam that we witness each year on the streets of our towns and cities.
The firework industry claims to observe a voluntary code of practice for the sale of fireworks but it appears that this is widely ignored. The Industry is also supposed to have ceased production and distribution of certain more powerful category 4 types of fireworks to the public. Loopholes in the legislation mean that this is largely circumvented. Indeed the advertising of the firework companies specifically emphasises the explosive capacity of some of their more powerful creations '[It] can be heard within a five mile radius [of its detonation]' Few of us would doubt this from personal experience over the last few years.
So the industry pays little more than lip service to the notion of self-regulation, the trading standards agency appear unable to control the vendors of fireworks and the police have too few resources to enforce the law. One is left to ponder the solution that would solve everyone's problem. It seems very simple ban the public sale and private use of fireworks.
Fireworks and Our Pets
Fireworks can cause a number of problems in our pets. These range from mild stress, unintentional accidents through to the results of malicious abuse.
Stress and Anxiety
Some pets will seem only mildly stressed, shaking, vocalising or pacing around the house. Others become significantly more upset, cowering under furniture, soiling in the house or becoming destructive. In the worst cases severe anxious pets have been known to bite owners who are trying to calm them.
Involvement in Road Traffic Accidents
Several pets each year are reported to suffer serious injury on our roads as a result of being startled or scared by fireworks. In one case a Border Collie (who recently had pups) was killed when she bolted from home after being startled by fireworks.
Malicious Injury
Although the numbers of animals each year that are reported to suffer malicious injury is low the fact that any are harmed in this fashion is unacceptable. The Scottish Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) in 2002 published a report documenting several malicious attacks. In one, a firework was thrown through the open window of a parked car in Kilmarnock. The car had two dogs inside at the time.
Euthanasia
Pets are 'put to sleep' as a result of firework related injuries, fear biting an owner or because they suffer a flare up of a stress related disease that seriously affects their quality of life.
80,000 Pets Affected
Other figures published in the recent SSPCA report suggests that over 80,000 of our pets are affected across the UK. Incredibly this figure only represents those pets that were treated at veterinary surgeries and takes no account either of livestock, horses or wildlife.
Solutions for Pets
Limited options are available to help pets.
Vets are often asked to prescribe sedative medication for Fireworks Night. Most vets will only prescribe such medication for a few days at a time, as there are always concerns about using these powerful medications to sedate pets over an extended time period. The fact that the fireworks have got louder and the problem can often extend over three months merely complicates the whole issue further.
Desensitisation of pets to the explosions has been tried using a combination of behaviour therapy and conditioning tapes. Those that opt for this treatment report limited success - mostly due to the duration of the problem and not beginning their programs early enough.
Our Opinion
The firework problem is multifaceted in origin and it is extremely difficult to point the finger of blame at any one person or group. Who is really at fault?
- The shop keepers for selling the fireworks?
- The trading standards agency for not regulating effectively?
- The kids for not knowing better?
- Parents for not controlling their kids more effectively?
- The police for being unable to control an ever escalating danger?
If the problem is complex, then the solution is delightfully simply. If there are no fireworks available then there is no problem. An immediate ban on the retail of all fireworks to the general public would achieve this instantly.
Firework enthusiasts argue that such a ban would fail because fireworks sale would be driven under ground. Illegal fireworks that do not comply with UK safety regulations would then replace the current legal, 'safe' fireworks, merely worsening the problem.
The evidence from Northern Ireland does not support this view as a complete ban was imposed for years during the 'troubles'. In fact a lifting of the ban on the sale of private fireworks saw the firework related problems return to the region, including their use against the police. A ground swell of public opinion resulted in new regulations being implemented. Since May 2002 possession of fireworks by an unlicensed individual in Northern Ireland is illegal.
Give People a Choice
Most people (including pet owners) would agree that fireworks help enhance national celebrations such as Guy Fawkes night and New Year with well publicised, licensed fireworks displays.
Such displays provide a better spectacle and importantly a choice.
- Those who wish to see the display can attend. Knowing that their safety is of the utmost importance to the event organisers.
- Those that do not at least know that a display will occur in a certain place at a certain time. Allowing them to take appropriate action to prevent injury or stress to their pet.
Summary
British society has changed. The family back yard bonfire of Guy Fawkes Night has been subverted by the commercial pressures of the modern world. People want fireworks that are louder and more powerful. The average garden display is often more like a re-enactment of the Battle of the Somme. Plus irresponsible use of fireworks continues despite high profile safety campaigns.
The resulting stress and danger to the more vulnerable members of our society be it the elderly, children or pets has become unacceptable. Surely it is now time to end this problem by banning private fireworks.
If you are going to a fireworks display we wish you a safe, enjoyable night but remember to lock up those pets.
Related Links
Firework Phobias - How to Help Your Pet.
References
National Campaign for Firework Safety Website
Scottish SPCA Report: Fireworks and Animals - A survey of Scottish vets in 2001
Control Of Fireworks For Animal Welfare - (COFFFAW) Pressure Group
