31st October 2006

A Flash Is As Good As A Bang

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The RSPCA is appealing to the public to buy lower-noise fireworks this Bonfire Night to help save the thousands of animals frightened of loud fireworks from fear and misery.

A shocking 82 per cent increase in calls about distressed and injured animals was recorded by the Society last year* – members of the public can help reduce this unacceptable figure by avoiding fireworks with big bangs.

It’s not surprising that the RSPCA receives so many calls about the distress fireworks cause animals – research commissioned by the Society showed that 49 per cent of dog owners questioned said their pet was frightened of loud noises. Forty-five per cent of owners reported that their dog was frightened of fireworks.

An RSPCA report ‘Keep The Noise Down’ concludes that a noise limit of 97 decibels (dBAI) should be set for fireworks available for private use by the public. This noise level, similar to that of a car door slamming, would help reduce the distress and suffering loud fireworks cause animals.

A survey of vets showed they treated 3,639 animals for stress caused by fireworks on and around 5 November last year. The Society fears this is just the tip of the iceberg and that it could be even worse for pets and wildlife this year.

In August this year, a four-month-old puppy was killed after being so terrified by a firework that he jumped over a fence in fear and was run over.

Gozo, a New Zealand Huntaway puppy, was in his outside run in Plumpton, near Lewes, when a firework went off in a neighbouring garden. Gozo was so scared he jumped over a four-foot wall and ran off. His owner found his body later the following morning.

The RSPCA’s acting chief veterinary adviser David McDowell said, “Thousands of animals up and down the country suffer distress or injury every year because of firework noise. Our research shows this distress could be reduced dramatically if fireworks no louder than 97 decibels were available to the public for private displays. The current legal noise limit is 120 decibels.

“Fireworks don’t have to be loud to be impressive – most people enjoy the visual display as much, if not more than, the huge bangs. We urge members of the public to buy lower-noise fireworks which are registered as category two under the British Standards mark.”

He added, “It is possible to find lower-noise fireworks in shops now, but if your store doesn’t stock them, why not complain to the manager – we need to make a big noise about keeping the noise down!”

The RSPCA survey also showed that a massive 97 per cent of the vets who responded found that the number of firework-related cases they dealt with last year had either increased or remained the same as the previous year. This indicates that the government’s firework regulations have not helped reduce the distress loud fireworks cause animals.

Vets found that dogs were most affected by fireworks, with 88 per cent of cases involving them. Ten per cent were cats and two per cent were horses or small animals.

Although the Society welcomed the UK Government’s firework regulations introduced last year, it was disappointed with the set noise limit of 120 decibels and continues to call for this to be reduced to 97 decibels.

To download a copy of the report, you can log on to www.rspca.org.uk/fireworks. Alternatively, you can call the RSPCA’s enquiries line on 0870 3335 999.

The RSPCA urges members of the public who feel strongly about the distress fireworks cause pets, wildlife and livestock to contact their MP and ask them to write to Consumer Affairs Minister Ian McCartney at DTI, 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ET.