 The Scottish Government are currently (until 13 May 2019) running a consultation on fireworks in Scotland. For everyone who has a nervous dog who reacts badly to the sight and sound of fireworks, this is your best opportunity to let your opinions known to the people who can change things. We've met many dogs who are terrified of fireworks. Luckily, if you know a large display is going to happen, you can make efforts to lessen the impact it has, by going out for the day, or staying over somewhere else. We have clients who bring their dogs to us for a few nights, as we are in a quiet area. Our stance here at HHDB is to stop the sale of fireworks to the general public. Large demonstrations are great, and if a community wants to get together to organise a display, brilliant! But the selling of fireworks to the general public coming in off the street should come to an end. We’ve seen how irresponsible people can be with them, and even though you can only buy two packets of paracetamol at a time, you can buy as many explosives as you like - and even get them delivered to your door! It all seems very weird. Let’s keep the fireworks solely for licensed events, that way everyone can get what they want. FOR OR AGAINST FIREWORKS? Whilst we don’t object at all to well planned and advertised firework events, what we don’t like and want banned is sale to the public. We don't think it should be permitted to allow just anyone to let off explosives in their back garden at any time of the day or night. We don’t think it’s appropriate that for most of October and November, many dog owners live in fear of a firework being set off in a public park, causing their dogs to bolt and, possibly, killed on the road as a result. We’ve had such an instance ourselves a few months ago. When walking in a wildlife reserve in broad daylight at 3pm, a loud firework went off somewhere close, and if we hadn’t had good control of our dogs they could have scattered to the wind. Nobody out walking their dog in the middle of the afternoon should have to worry about potential explosions around us when in country parks. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Perhaps you have your own stories of your dogs being badly affected by fireworks? Let us know in the comments or over on our Facebook page, but please PLEASE fill in this consultation first and we can at least try to effect change.
Our basic points for the survey are:
Please let your opinions known at the Scottish Government Consultation Page.
2 Comments
18/2/2019 08:18:04 pm
My 9 year old black Labrador’s fear of bangs and flashing lights started 8 years ago when walking him there were fireworks let off. This started his terror of all loud bangs and even seeing/hearing fireworks on tv. His reaction is: severe trembling, panting, pacing back and forth, trying to hide. If outside he will try and flee back to safety. These reactions all last for several hours after the initial fireworks and with them being set off several days before and after it can last for a week. Longer term - we struggle to get him to go out for a walk in the dark and generally are just getting him over it The the fireworks for Christmas and New Year start and it’s back to square one. We have tried taking him away up north to secluded areas over bonfire night but people don’t just stick to either 5th Nov or the weekend closest so you never know when they will be set off. I would support fireworks being for organised displays / events only or better still silent ones. 20/2/2019 03:29:41 pm
Hi Karen, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately this is a story we hear a lot, and it's so upsetting for every dog involved, and their families. We don't want to sound like killjoys, but fireworks set off without warning cause more harm than good to dogs up and down the country, and it's time to stop. That's why we are encouraging everyone to add their views to the consultation. Leave a Reply. |
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