27th December 2006

Don't Make The New Year Go With A Bang For Animals

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The RSPCA received 361 calls about distressed and injured animals due to fireworks in November this year and predicts similar fear and misery for pets and wildlife at New Year. The Society is urging the public to buy lower-noise fireworks or celebrate the New Year in other ways.

A survey of vets showed they treated 3,639 animals for stress caused by fireworks on and around 5 November 2005. The Society fears this is just the tip of the iceberg as research commissioned by the RSPCA 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.

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 Standard mark."

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.

Although the Society welcomed the UK Government's firework regulations introduced in 2004, it was disappointed with the set noise limit of 120 decibels - the equivalent of a jet aircraft taking off - and continues to call for this to be reduced to 97 decibels.

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.

RSPCA tips on caring for animals during firework displays: