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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... to be irritated by pet owners going on about fireworks given the impact that people having pets has on society and the environment?

353 replies

Kallyderon · 19/10/2019 21:02

It's just about time for the annual whingefest about people setting off fireworks to start and it's boring. If you own a domestic animal then your animal impacts on people around you all year round in terms of waste, meat production, safety, sanitation and noise. It also impacts on wildlife.

Given that, and given that no one is obliged to own another living creature, it's a bit much to expect all the other humans around you to refrain from doing something they enjoy because it might make your dog unhappy.

Tbh there are sound environmental reasons for opposition to fireworks but they don't do even half as much damage to wild creatures and their habitats as the average cat or dog, so that's a moot point anyway and obviously not of great concern to you otherwise you wouldn't own a dog.

So AIBU to say give it a rest?

OP posts:
doombaby · 20/10/2019 13:46

What are the chances of a dog materialising and threatening you in your own home?

I don't understand this point, because people have to use their gardens & leave their houses? The chance for me? I would say it's as likely as a firework would be to threaten me in my own home.

Does that make the threat any less real?

doombaby · 20/10/2019 13:48

Because fireworks affect people and pets who are simply sitting minding their own business in their own homes.

But often dogs do attack babies in the home or children minding their own business in a playground.

aSofaNearYou · 20/10/2019 14:25

I don't really see why the focus should purely be on animals - let's face it, there is no other context in which we would simply allow or be happy with people making that much noise in a domestic area, especially late at night. It's normalised but it really is incredibly antisocial.

Leighhalfpennysthigh · 20/10/2019 14:25

I would certainly support responsible limitation of pet breeding

I don't think anyone with an ounce of sanity would argue that the whole designer breed stuff has gone too far and needs to be stopped for the sake of the dogs. I don't actually give a shiny shit about most humans and yes, I do prefer my dogs and no I'm not going to stop having a pet because of some hysterical thread on MN (which is how all dog threads end up so more fool me for opening it).

I'm not alone. Millions of people love their pets and see them as another member of their family. For some people they are their family. People who don't like pets don't understand the bond that we have with them. That's ok. No one is forcing you to like them. Again MN is the only place where dogs are vicious, baby eating monsters. In the real world we all rub along together nicely.

TheDarkPassenger · 20/10/2019 14:59

I kind of agree with you op. And on the most part I don’t mind all the fireworks at all. I do think some dog owners have acted in a way to make their dogs scared. I am a dog and cat owner also.

I do find it odd that we bang on about Americans having guns when we sell explosives with your daily shopping at Asda!

manicmij · 20/10/2019 15:01

Think there should be more fireworks. Plenty attempts to murder someone in history gone wrong why just celebrate Guy Fawkes' attempt to kill a King. Lets do the Brighton bombings, Ariana Grande, Manchester, get the fireworks out!

isayhitocats · 20/10/2019 15:22

You sound lovely OP

SusanneLinder · 20/10/2019 15:27

I actually didn't do anything to make my dog scared of fireworks and more to do with the cunt that threw a firework at my dog when he was a puppy. Angry. 2nd dog is a rescue and was abandoned because she didn't make the grade as a hunting dog. I suspect her fear is because it reminds her of guns ( pretty badly treated). 3rd dog isn't arsed about fireworks.
I can live with people setting them off on 5th November or whatever festival, because if I know its happening, my dogs get a nice firework free dog event at our local windfarm.
But frickin eejits have already started..😡

Newsheet · 20/10/2019 15:39

I actually didn't do anything to make my dog scared of fireworks and more to do with the cunt that threw a firework at my dog when he was a puppy. angry.

I didn’t do anything to make my son scared of dogs and riding his bike.

It was a succession of cunty dog owners who don’t bother to control their animals and am who assume everyone else wants to be jumped on, Licked by, and “say hello” to their stinking dogs that did that.

I8toys · 20/10/2019 15:40

I asked for a list of firework displays in our local area on a local website so that anyone who wants to know is informed - we have them starting on 25th October, 2nd November, 3rd November, 5th November, 8th November - these are the organised displays. Fair enough - going on for 2 weeks though but can't be helped.

I personally hate them - they are antisocial, fucking annoying and we will all have had enough of the things by 8th November. And I love the fact that Sainsburys have stopped selling them so don't give it a rest.

doombaby · 20/10/2019 15:56

why just celebrate Guy Fawkes' attempt to kill a King

Pretty sure it was originally celebrated because the very opposite happened....

SusanneLinder · 20/10/2019 16:27

@Newsheet, I was responding Dark Passenger, not you when she said some dog owners make their dogs scared.
Not all of us are "cunty" dog owners, and don't allow our dogs to jump on people. But of course any mention of dogs brings half of the raging anti dog brigade on mumsnet out in force and turns the thread into " all dogs are baby eating monsters ".Hmm

doombaby · 20/10/2019 16:32

But of course any mention of dogs brings half of the raging anti dog brigade on mumsnet out in force and turns the thread into " all dogs are baby eating monsters

But isn't that what some posters are doing re fireworks? lumping the people who maybe have a sparkler & a few catherine wheels in their garden with those that strap fireworks on dogs or throw them at people?

RedSuitcase · 20/10/2019 16:45

But often dogs do attack babies in the home or children minding their own business in a playground

Seriously?! Often? Get a fucking grip

doombaby · 20/10/2019 16:57

2016 statistics I could find. I know it's common because my brother in law is an hospital doctor.

1,733 kids were among 7,332 dog-attack victims needing hospital treatment.

Among those numbers were 39 babies, 611 toddlers aged one to four and 528 children aged between five and nine.

I should get a grip?

firstimemamma · 20/10/2019 17:03

It's not just dogs. People letting off fireworks in their back gardens can affect babies, young children, vulnerable adults, the list goes on. Yabu.

CupCupGoose · 20/10/2019 17:06

I have dogs who aren't bothered by fireworks at all. I still think fireworks should be banned. They scare wildlife, they are dangerous and they are bad for the environment. Plus, I honestly don't see how they are entertaining, unless you're about 5 years old.

Cornettoninja · 20/10/2019 18:19

lumping the people who maybe have a sparkler & a few catherine wheels in their garden with those that strap fireworks on dogs or throw them at people?

Not really, people are hardly likely to notice a couple of sparklers and Catherine wheel are they? It’s the bangers that people use to try and recreate a Middle Eastern air strike any time they fancy (usually at some daft time of night that indicates they don’t give a shit about anyone) that people have a problem with.

I’d happily see the things taken off sale to the public but as a compromise I would be satisfied with their strength being severely curtailed for private use. that wouldn’t affect the group of people you’re referring to would it?

Cornettoninja · 20/10/2019 18:27

1,733 kids were among 7,332 dog-attack victims needing hospital treatment

And there are approximately 1000 people injured each year by fireworks that are only sold for what? Thirty days of the year?

Proportionally they’re more dangerous than dogs.

It’s a digression though, fireworks have very little to do with dangerous dogs and vice versa.

doombaby · 20/10/2019 19:00

that are only sold for what? Thirty days of the year?

Nope plenty of places sell them all year around.

Where did I say fireworks weren't dangerous?

My post was disputing the fact that dogs hurting babies & kids was a rare occurrence.

DonningDaFlameProof · 20/10/2019 19:02

in 2016 there were 13.9 million children.
1,733 of these 13.9 million went to hospital due to dogs.
So 0.01% of children.

Also, dogs don't just randomly attack people - they are usually aggravated in some way, - so they're not just randomly roaming around attacking people and killing babies.

Trying to make out that dogs are going around causing a huge danger to children is just fear-mongering.

doombaby · 20/10/2019 19:02

as a compromise I would be satisfied with their strength being severely curtailed for private use. that wouldn’t affect the group of people you’re referring to would it

I agree with that. I'm not particularly pro private fireworks & recognise the issues with them but likewise don't necessarily agree there should be an outright ban.

RedSuitcase · 20/10/2019 19:03

My post was disputing the fact that dogs hurting babies & kids was a rare occurrence.

It IS a rare occurrence!

Iwantacookie · 20/10/2019 19:22

My cats aren't bothered by fireworks however I agree with pp that fireworks should not be for sale to members of the public.
I also agree with it's not just nov 5th you'll hear at least one every night now until new year and its annoying.
Also what is with the trend of letting them off in the day Confused what a waste of money.

exiledfromcornwall · 20/10/2019 19:23

Fireworks have changed since I was growing up in the 60s/70s. They are unbelievably loud, God knows why they have to be this loud. Even if you are not an animal lover you should spare a thought for people suffering from PTSD. Apparently a lot of veterans (Iraq etc.) find fireworks challenging, no sympathy for them OP?