Fireworks time again

[carolyorkie2010]

Thank you to the idiots who let fireworks off very close to my house last night for about 3 hours! Both my dogs were terrified, one wee'd on the carpet she was so scared and the other is epileptic! I suppose we will be the same as last year and have them going off for about 8 nights in a row. Turning the TV louder doesnt help as the fireworks are so noisy, goodness knows what they sound like to a dogs sensitive ears.

[bhgardeners]

They started mid September round here and there will be bangs short or long every night into January.  

[soppysofty]

Fireworks are covered under the Explosives Act and thier use/misuse is covered under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

If you have a problem with 'fireworks' call the Police on 999 and inform them that you wish to report a crime under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, namely 'allowing or permitting the detonation of an explosive device in a public place'.

Insist on a crime number and then email your local Police Commissioner (address and details on Google) with all the details.

If enough people do this we may be able to get fireworks banned with the exception of large, organised and licenced public displays.

[ilove2patch]

Same here last night. Damson spent the evening shaking & panting under the table. So sad to see her so terrified. Next weekend will be worse.

[chickengrandma-2008]

I'm amazed!!  We had fireworks a few doors down, couldn't see them but could hear them.  Molly didn't even notice and Lottie sat in the study facing the corner.........................................that's all!  No panting, no shaking,  no sitting in the shower, no refusing her Bonio.  When there were treats on offer she came into the kitchen for her share, so there's your answer, get a stupid puppy!! 

[saasher2012]

I'm very lucky with my dog they don't seem to bother her too much but I sympathise with those who's dogs it does upset, I know you can get stuff from the Vets but because fireworks are used at every opportunity how the heck can you plan using it?.
Am I correct in assuming they are not supposed to be let off after 10pm, New Year being the exception?

[ed_blackadder_1]

I think it is 11pm, except for New Year and November the 5th.

One of mine doesn't care she just thinks it is time to go to work, but the other one doesn't like them at all and usually hides at the top of the stairs.

[bitsnknots]

Round here, we have one particular family who let fireworks any time of the year.  We also had fireworks last night and we'll have them for a good while to come yet.  I do feel sorry for dogs when fireworks go off like that.  It's not fair on them.

[5129frederick]

I'd like to take you - and everybody else, for that matter, up on that.  Everybody harps on about their dogs and puddytats being afraid of fireworks.  That's all well and good with people being advised to keep their animals inside which is fair enough, but what about the creatures of the night who have nowhere to hide?  What about the foxes, hares, birds who have nowhere to hide, nowhere to fly to?  Aren't they as important too as domestic pets?  Spare a thought for them.  If the smell of cordite gets up your nose and makes cough, imagine the effect it is having on a sparrow or a starling.  Almost as many rockets are set off during the first fifteen minutes of the New Year as November the 5th.  And what are we celebrating?  We're celebrating a man's death, and believe me, that man was tortured beyond belief before he was put to death.

[saasher2012]

That's a very good point Frederick, we tend to forget the wildlife, a lot of them were only born this year & won't have experienced fireworks, please! Remember to check your bonfires for hibernating hedgehogs as well.

[ilove2patch]

There must be more going off tonight although I can't hear them as Damson is a quivering wreck again & won't eat her tea. I agree that Nov 5th it is the most bizarre celebration in the calender! Mind you it's only the 1st so we have more to come!

[5129frederick]

It was in full force at half-six this evening when I put it up on the board, and still going off in dribs and drabs although luckily it  seldom carries on past nine..  There may be an official time limit either ten or eleven, but luckily most people use their common sense.

Off topic, but most of us olduns like to settle down for the evening - I'm already in my moccasins.  They are so comfortable.  Paid £1.00 for them in a bootsale three years ago but were so comfortable I decided to keep them instead of selling them on.  They're the first things I pack when going on holiday.  I never use them outside the house.

[chickengrandma-2008]

We have a lot more noisier ones going off tonight.  They've been going since about 6 pm and are still going in dribs and drabs.  Molly couldn't give a fig but Lottie, although worse than she was last night, is not as bad as usual.  She's sitting at my feet as calm as anything just now, giving me accusing looks because Molly's got a big hide bone and she hasn't.  I suppose the fact that she won't eat them is beside the point!!

[bitsnknots]

Molly's absolutely beautiful.

We had fireworks going off earlier on for two or three hours but they do seem to have stopped now thankfully.  There's no saying that they won't start again some time soon.

[5129frederick]

Back in the early sixties we  had a West Highland Terrier who, when she was a puppy, was happily knawing a bone in the kitchen with a strong sun blazing through the window.  I twiddled my fingers as if a giant spider was making it's way down the wall.  She growled at this phantom monster and bared her teeth at it before "frightening" it away.  in the end it was too much.  She picked up her bone and disappeared into the garden wagging her tail where she could enjoy it in peace!

[chickengrandma-2008]

I just let them both out for a wee.  Molly took her bone with her!  She was taking no chances!

[carolyorkie2010]

Having tried various remedies and plug-ins, over the years, that supposedly calm pets during fireworks etc and having no success whatsoever, I put some Rescue Remedy drops on the dogs' tongues last night and it seemed to calm them both down a lot. Obviously won't work for all dogs, but just a suggestion that you could try. I, too, agree about the wild animals and the impact it must have on them, having nowhere safe to go, they must be terrified.

[Anonymous]

It's pushing it a bit mail order etc but have a look in the bigger pet store chains for a 'Thunder shirt'  - seem to work very well for anxiety in dogs. 

Also, google the Tellington Touch  & invest in a tight T-shirt to wrap your dog in  -we used to do this for my old Ellie & it worked better than any of the alternatives.

The sooner the wretched things are banned, the better. Have one organised display if you must but that's it - no more!

[5129frederick]

Do you really want to get all fireworks banned?  Organised displays are boring because there's no personal touch, not even a few sparklers, and as to the cost, they're expensive affairs, too.

[Anonymous]

Certainly do, frederick.  If we could limit them to just one night, then that wouldn't be so bad but they go on for weeks & weeks.  As for cost - it can't be much different to buying the things at a local supermarket - they're extortionate. At least at a display, you get to see something worth watching!

As a child, we had bonfire night parties where all the friends & neighbours would congregate at a local site or in somebody's garden, put up the bonfire, let off a few fireworks, which were pretty feeble in comparison to the nuclear explosions of today. Everybody mucked in with the food either by bringing some along or by baking tatties in the embers, a good time was had by all & that was it - all over for another year. Shame we can't turn back the clock.

Another thought............................. if you're having a bonfire, please check it for visiting critters before lighting it. To you, it's just a bonfire but to a hedgehog, it's home.