Why can’t we have drone displays instead of fireworks?

[Nobumsonthetable]

My poor dog is wrapped around me with fear. Every time there is a bang I get a start. The point of fireworks is surely the look rather than the sound?? And as for letting random idiots buy them in bloody Lidl and set them off in their back gardens - this is insane. I live in a densely populated suburb of London. Setting off fireworks here is so fkn antisocial. Grr.

But not every dog or cat is scared, why does it impact some?

Some breeds are predisposed to be nervous.

Some had a bad experience when they were young - bang-related, not necessarily firework-related - and can’t shake it.

Some weren’t socialised to relax around bangs - though this doesn’t always work.

Just like people are different, so are animals. It’s not a hive-mind response.

I always thought drones needed quite calm weather, I know in Disneyland Paris they cancel them if it’s too windy. Plus I imagine a drone display is quite expensive and fireworks are more affordable for the masses.

my two dogs could not careless about fireworks even when they are outside when they were going off.

that is not to say I agree with fireworks however.

they make me happy, and for a few minutes I can be a child again. If my world is burning, it may as well be pretty!

@Bloozie why so snippy? I was genuinely curious eg if certain breeds are more predisposed.

Kill birds? No.
Come inside and still be miserable? No.
Enjoy a bit of glitter in the sky? Hell, yes!

my two dogs could not careless about fireworks even when they are outside when they were going off

My dogs & cats have never been bothered. Although one cat disliked thunder.

Drone shows are so dull. It's like watching a screen saver.

In terms of killing birds fireworks have nothing on cats. Aren’t the figures like 50m a year?!

Because they are not the same. Some people enjoy fireworks more.

I don’t think I was particularly snippy - in my response to your question, anyway.

In regards to fireworks - full on chippy, never mind snippy. I was in a city centre last year and kids were firing them at each other in the main shopping street during the day. People were cowering in the doorway of Primark, pigeons were petrified and flying right at you in blind panic… Ridiculous

Unfortunately Dog and Cat ownership is hardly an environmentally friendly decision and affects wildlife and the climate every day rather than as a relatively isolated event. Also, fireworks have been around longer than your pet. If you don’t like the idea of subjecting a pet to them, don’t get a pet.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/apr/10/pet-dogs-have-extensive-and-multifarious-impact-on-environment-new-research-finds

@Bloozie well I found the hive mind comment unnecessary. Where on earth do you live?!

The fireworks around where I live have been ridiculously loud this evening. I thank my lucky stars that my cat isn't bothered by them which is so bizarre as she is such a wuss in other ways. I only have to rustle a carrier bag a bit too loudly and she runs and hides!

So because you want a few seconds of entertainment it’s ok to terrify untold numbers of animals and vulnerable people?
A friend of mine horse was killed on 5th November because he freaked out by a firework from a garden behind where he was stabled. He broke his front leg and had to be put down. Her children are devastated having witnessed it.
A few years ago a farmer friend lost several in calf heifers again due to morons letting off fireworks.

There is no good reason for letting them off. It’s just pure selfishness.

My mother would buy a box of Standard fireworks and a packet of sparklers from the cigarette kiosk at Sainsburys every year in the 1970s and 80s.

I have judgy thoughts on outdoor cats too - I wouldn’t let my dog roam into your garden and shit, wild dogs roam FAR further than wild cats, who defend a small territory - quite how we got into this place where it’s cruel to keep cats inside but entirely appropriate to keep dogs is weird. I have 3 house cats. My judgement when it comes to how we treat wildlife and especially birds is bottomless.

I live in the Peak District - the city was Sheffield.

Fortunately my dog doesn’t turn a hair, and my cats don’t seem too fussed either. Must be hard for those with pets that do.

My judgement when it comes to how we treat wildlife and especially birds is bottomless.

I just wouldn’t say fireworks are a significant factor vs cats, cars, urbanisation etc but I have a cat that goes outdoors and my dog isn’t wild & I don’t mind fireworks. However I don’t live somewhere where people would throw fireworks at you or where they are let off every night for months on end.

We back into woods where they do shoots. My dog doesn’t flinch at the gunshots 🤢 but jumps and barks at every firework. I don’t understand why it’s different to her.

Our neighbour (behind us) is actually firing them towards us!!
They are showing down onto our trampoline.
i am fuming!😡 Where do I stand on property damage from them?
Just told them to fire them at their own house and trampoline!

I really think people are dumb and antisocial about them.

Coz they’re dreadful and fireworks are spectacular

I could not agree more. Your poor, poor dog. It is time these idiotic things were banned except in public displays. Modern fireworks can be louder than a pistol and they are dangerous.

Just so you know for the next time fireworks are likely, gabapentin given two hours ahead can work wonders for fear in cats and dogs, and it does not have much sedative effect, ie. does not usually make them wobbly. It is advocated for pets with phobias.

The fear caused to wildlife and livestock is also beyond measure, yet this gets so little press.

My dog doesn’t bat at eye at the fireworks on tv or the CDs you’re supposed to play from when they’re a puppy to get them used to them, but loses her shit at actual fireworks. I think it’s the vibrations, which tracks with gunshot too. You can’t feel them in your bones as much.