Fireworks believed to have caused dog’s death…
A dog out walking with its owner in the Terregles area of Dumfries was frightened when some fireworks exploded near to where the dog was walking. The terrified animal ran onto the A75 where it was hit by a car and killed.
Sgt Doug Miller said that the dog’s death occurred because of a “thoughtless act” and appealed to the public to consider that letting off fireworks indiscriminately can have serious consequences, Sgt Miller said:
“I would like to point out that it is an offence for anyone to throw a firework in a public place and also to the fact that it is an offence for anyone under 18 to even possess a firework in a public place. Despite repeated warnings every year, we have to deal with firework incidents and a minority of people paying scant attention to their own and other people’s safety. Do not misuse fireworks as they can be extremely dangerous and could cause serious injury or death.”
This comes after a Lancashire MP called for a ban on the sale of fireworks because far too many pets have to be prescribed drugs to cope with the noise of the explosions. Labour MP for Chorley, Lindsay Hoyle has tabled a Commons Early Day motion for fireworks to be removed from sale to the general public and to be restricted to organised events. Hoyle said:
“When drugs have to be prescribed to animals there is something wrong. It tells us how serious an issue fireworks have become”.
The RSPCA has called for restrictions on firework noise levels. In a report back in 2005 titled ‘Keep the noise down’ the RSPCA surmised that a noise level of 97 decibels should be introduced rather than the current 120 decibels. 97 decibels is rather like the slamming of a car door but 120 decibels is equivalent to the roar of a jet aircraft taking off.
The RSPCA advise the following:
Dogs should be exercised during the daylight hours.
Keep your dog indoors, close the curtains and play music or turn the television up.
Allow your dog to hide somewhere if it wants to.
Make sure your dog is wearing some form of identification just in case it escapes. This can be an identity tag or micro chipped.
There are various plug in diffusers or Dog Appeasing Pheromones that give off aromas that reassure nervous dogs.
If your dog is particularly distressed your vet will prescribe sedatives which should be given before the fireworks begin.
More information can be found on the RSPCA website at: