Pet owners express fears over fireworks causing problems for animals

Canine specialist Stacey Edwards said she is “helpless” and “heartbroken” after having to go to Wales for the safety of her dogs and horse, who have suffered injuries and health issues due to the recent fireworks.

The use of fireworks is banned from 11pm to 7am in England and Wales with some exceptions on special dates, including Bonfire Night and New Year's Eve.

But fireworks are often set off at illegal times, and the frequent use of them at this time of year is a major worry for pet owners.

Stacey said: “I had two weeks of no sleep because they were petrified before I took them for a week to get away.

"It breaks my heart, I'm so upset I can't protect them and make them feel safe in their own home!

"Everyone deserves that! I feel completely helpless."

Stacey made the decision to take her two collies and horse to Wales around Bonfire Night after her collie Teddi began to have an inflammatory response to the weeks of stress and tenseness caused by fireworks.

Stacey Edwards' dogs Teddi and Luna (Image: Supplied) Luna stressed over fireworks (Image: Supplied) The fireworks put her horse Tico at severe risk as they make him extremely panicked, which could trigger his gastric ulcers, an extremely painful condition.

In her work as a canine hydrotherapist, laser therapist and behaviourist, Stacey blames fireworks for causing enhanced pain and undoing a lot of the work she had done to improve the lives of many dogs.

Stacey riding on Tico with Luna and Teddi (Image: Supplied) Teddi hiding from the noise of fireworks (Image: Supplied) A resident of the Garsdale Country Inn pub in Bury, Amie Sloan, creates a haven for dogs and their owners on Bonfire Night after fireworks caused her dog to “almost eat through the walls".

Amie said that the fireworks have been a problem since she first rescued her dog Indie from Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in 2018.

Over the years they have tried to make Indy more comfortable from storm jackets to medication, but she still has intense reactions to fireworks that” leave her on the floor shaking and foaming at the mouth”.

Amie said: ”It's really distressing for us to see her so terrified.

“We hadn't heard her one night as we had live music on and weren't expecting fireworks. She had nearly eaten through the wall and the door to the pub.”

Indie the rescue lurcher (Image: Supplied) Damage caused to the door by Indie (Image: Supplied)

A few years ago, Amie created a firework-free sanctuary at her old pub for dogs like Indy, with loud music, drawn blinds, and calming treats for dogs.

This year, she brought the same safe space to the Garsdale, offering a refuge for scared animals and their owners to escape the fireworks on bonfire night and she plans to do the same thing next year.

A representative for Bleakholt said that the previous weeks have been a struggle for the sanctuary due to their animals suffering and also a large increase in calls regarding animals going missing in the weekend leading up to Bonfire Night.

A spokesperson said: “At Bleakholt we take all precautions we can to reduce the impact of fireworks.

"However sadly this is not enough for those that are very affected."

The dogs were "heavily affected" by the sheer amount of fireworks around Bonfire Night" and some horses had to be let out of their stables so they did not injure themselves. 

The spokesperson added: "We would urge people to consider buying soundless fireworks as they can be enjoyed by all.”

Bury dog trainer Laura Ó Faoláin, owner of Bark to Basic, said that fireworks are not going anywhere and pet owners should focus on conditioning their pets to loud noises.

Laura recommends that noise conditioning should start months in advance, ideally in February, by gradually playing firework-like sounds at low volumes, pairing them with high-volume rewards.

She added: “By September, dogs should be calm and expectant of a reward with each bang.”

For more anxious dogs, she suggests offering a safe retreat, like a covered crate and using distractions such as a licking mat.

She said: “It's unfortunate dog training and behaviour modification is seen as controversial when it comes to fireworks.

"It works, and we must put the work in to help our dogs feel better as best we can.”

For more information on how to protect your animals when it comes to fireworks, you can go to the RSPCA website.