The RSPCA is hoping to demonstrate to the Government just how badly fireworks can affect animals.
They would like to hear from anyone with stories about their own pets

They can be contacted via the "your experiences" page at
www.rspca.org.uk/fireworks

OMG  ... not this one again, we had this in south africa the do gooders saying that loud bangs scare animals ... what rubbish when you live in a place that has very very bad thunderstorms do you think there any less loud that fireworks ?  its all about socialising we had a few dogs and none of them were scared of fireworks fair enough it interfiered with there sleep but they didnt seem frightened

Well you've been very lucky then roswell. I know of several dogs that have very bad reactions to fireworks, my oldest bitch for one and it isn't all down to lack of socialisation as my younger 2 are fine.

Yes roswell you are very lucky I had a rscue dog that was terrified of fireworks to the point where she scaled an eight foot fence (she was only a little thing) a couple of days before bonfire night this was at 2 in the morning she ran for over 20 miles, she wasn't found until 2 days after bonfire night and she was in such a state that she wouldn't go for walks anymore we tried everything to help her get over it but she never did. It doesn't help that fireworks are being set off for 4 months now, i honestly think fireworks should be banned as they are not just dangerous to animals but children, then theres the idiots who think they can  post fireworks through somebodys letterbox or tie them to stray animals. Sorry can you tell that I slightly dislike fireworks.

Nickie.

Well you were lucky, and mine is terrified of them so bad that we have to resort to drugs to calm her, if you saw the state she gets into you would understand more, and YES thunderstorms effect her the same as fireworks, we cannot control them but hopefully we can control the use of fireworks, have you any idea what it is like night after night of the fireworks going off and it goes on for WEEKS, I am sorry but having experienced a dog so afraid, I now want the fireworks controlled more.  I do what I can, if there is going to be a local display I take my dog over the other side of the island for a car ride at that time, so i do not have to use drugs, firework night there is little I can do as they are everywhere as new year too, so that I can prepare for, but now it is all the time I cannot permantly drug mu dog night after night.  She is the only one of mine that the fireworks effects but it is bad! It is not about socialising it is about the individual dog!

I think your powers of empathy are wonderful, Roswell.

I suppose you can compare it to those people who are terrified of thunder and lightning - have they not been properly socialised either ?? :rolleyes:
I think anyone who has a terrified animal should write....you never know it may help

Yep I agree and I did write :)

OMG what an attitude to take!!!

My dog too is petrified of loud bangs ,not only fireworks or thunderstorms but any sudden loud bang freaks
her right out.We have been working on this with the advice of a behavouir specialist as Rox gets into such a state it's pitiful to see.Having just had two big op's this nov 5th was a nightmare for Rox,as was New years eve.
This has nothing to do with socialisation.
HAVE YOU NEVER BEEN SCARED????
I will definatly write

I have wrote I hope the government do listen it's about time because its getting stupid.

Nickie.

Roswell it is very difficult to socialise with a thunderstorm. My first BC I have is the most wonderfully socialised dog... but he cannot stand fireworks or thunderstorms, and its not just him. Many BC's are even more sound sensitive than he is. If none of your dogs are scared by fireworks etc then I consider you very lucky.

Char

i am getting fed up with fireworks all year round late at night they land in my garden my tiny yorkie was running around with the plactic end of the firework in his mouth (of course it went off the evening before) i have already signed the rspca petition nothing has happened,the flammes from the firework go over the top of my house.i am hoping the laws will change soon .i had more peace and quiet when i lived in london

my dog was in a terrible state both at firework night and christmas she wouldnt go out the door after dark even to the garden with us she messed in the house and was terribly upset and all because of these things my neighbours dog has to be sedated she wets herself and shakes so much they thought the fright would kill her, they need to be banned now.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association currently has a bill going through parliament which should make the use of fireworks be limited and licensed.  Hopefully if this comes into effect it'll make a considerable difference and ease the trauma that so many dogs go through at that time of year.

Glazby got upset when we pulled our crackers at the Christmas table so god knows what he's going to be like come November!!

I think that fireworks should be banned or better controlled so that they are confined to the odd public display and not let off in everyone's back gardens.  The control should also make sure that they are used for only a couple of nights a year, unlike at the moment when people let them off for any and every reason.

Lily (deaf lurcher pup) sat and watched the fireworks out of the window, she loved them - its the only time I would say she is lucky to be deaf :)

Our neighbours let them off regulary but have barbecues aswell so Mr B relates loud bangs with sausages and hamburgers

see my point ecatcly, iv taken brun up to a place where they do clay shooting (obviousely not in the line of fire, he isnt scared when he hears a bang or someone drops a pot in the sink. loud bangs are part of life fireworks / back fires / loud dvds  and mostly the unexpected.

roswell u r very lucky that ur dog isnt scared of fireworks - my mother in laws staffy cross is absolutely terrified of them which is very distressing for her owners as well as herself - it has got to the point now where the vet has to sedate her and considering that fireworks can start from the end of october until christmas this is obviously not an ideal situation.

i personally think that they should be banned - if u want to go and see them go to an organised display!

Hi Briar, I did not understand you're comments that the guide dogs "has a bill going through parliament" only the goverment or local council (by-laws) can start a bill going through parliament and that can take years and years, can you explain what you mean please I am confused.

Sorry Boxi, I'm not very good at all the technical bits about bills and parliament etc, so I'm not sure how it's come about...but I know the bill's certainly got past it's 2nd hearing, with plenty of support from various MPs

My first dog was absolutely terrified of fireworks, hot air balloons, adn other unexplainable noise.  My curent dogs are not bothered one jot, all being very well socialised and exposed to everything I could, but I would still like them banned.