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

[Kallyderon]

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?

Oh ffs!
I'm done with Mumsnet.

I’m so glad I live in a civilised country where fireworks are not on general sale, and private displays are banned

My dog has never scared a horse so much that it ran itself to death in its field.

My dog isn't bothered by fireworks too much, but I am due to ptsd
Organised displays are OK because (in my case) are away from residential streets and so I can avoid them quite well by just staying home. I used to live on a street where so many people set fireworks off in their gardens/the street and I really struggled

Have a dog that doesn’t seem bothered by fireworks. Had a cat that just hid behind the sofa at firework time. I don’t care if people want to spend silly amounts of money on stupid explosives. Don’t care if people want to attend a firework display. I just live with a small scar ( thankfully due to the passage of time) due to
a firework that exploded in my face at an organised firework display.
These things are explosives. They harm the environment as most land miles away and are discarded. Bonfires harm wildlife and often give off toxic fumes . Guido Fawkes died five hundred years ago. Why is this still ‘celebrated?’
Sorry... it’s just me.

I dont mind people having fireworks as long as it is the day before Bonfire night, bonfire night itself or the day after. I can keep my pets in during those times. Its the people who celebrate bonfire night nowhere near the 5th that annoy me. For example, at the end of November.

Pets have an impact on wildlife, but not as much as humans do in general.

Having pets doesnt result in additional meat production either. Meat production plants take the parts of the animal that humans eat and what's left goes to make pet food.

What about the positive impacts animals cause to people? The joy that they bring the owners. Or what about the many thousands of pets that have assisted traumatized children and adults or people with special needs? The animals that have such a positive effect on people that they have saved marriages? Stopped people from committing suicide? Been the thing that has stopped someone taking drugs?

Do you have more than 1 car? Do you go on holiday abroad via plane? Do you use single-use plastic? Use aerosols? Leave the room without switching the light off? Do you use make-up from companies that test on animals? Do you eat meat?

If yes to any of the above then you yourself are damaging the environment.

Oh... and as to owing pets, what the hell is wrong with that, REALLY?

I'm not a pet owner and, joyless as it sounds, I do think pet ownership is one of the many things we are going to have to stop doing eventually. They are one of the completely unnecessary luxuries we just don't need and which impacts the environment. I saw an article somewhere about it and it was very thought provoking. I've been trying to find it, but can't! Will post later if I find it.

However, fireworks are a nuisance. Not just for pet owners. I know I'm sounding like I'm about as much craic as a dose of flu here, but fireworks are very distressing for some humans too, as well as animals which, (unlike pets), actually serve a real purpose; guide dogs, police dogs, agricultural animals and livestock. I don't think a bunch of people standing around saying ooooh at some pretty lights in the sky should come at the expense of other people's peace.

They really should not be available for any pld wanker to buy imo and it should be restricted to professional displays. No government will ever introduce this measure though, as it will be unpopular with people who like standing about saying ooooh at pretty lights in the sky... sigh.

wheat2harvest my 'neurotic' dog is a rescue who was mistreated and dumped as a stray. Even after a few years of having her and 3 behaviourists she is still terrified of strangers, especially strangers knocking the door. Deliveries and visitors we manage as well we can but Halloween is a fucking nightmare and we have to put a sign up asking people not to knock our door or ring our bell. We are lucky she isn't scared of fireworks.

Have some compassion FFS.

*any old wanker

I love animals and I love fireworks but blimey, there’s some right miserable dicks posting on here.

An unnecessary luxury .... grow a heart ffs

I think everyone can have an opinion... if it upsets your family pet your not going to like them... but people still like to set them off and say ooh and ahh at the appropriate times too ... neither opinion / feelings is invalid

Personally I'd rather the local yoof couldn't get fireworks.
My cat couldn't give a fuck about fireworks unless they're close.
I can watch a local firework display from my dining room window.
I think that anyone who has a pet and let's them stay out late for at least a week either side of Nov 5th need their noggin bonked anyway. It's not like it doesn't happen every year or anything.
Those people who have pets due to various illnesses dont really have a choice. This is an issue that will never go away. Even if there are public events pets will still be affected.

Pets have an impact on wildlife, but not as much as humans do in general

Pets are a human invention. They are not separate to pur impact on the environment. They are part of it. They would not exist if it wasn't for humans, which is why we are the ones responsible for the impact they have. So I think people do need to carefully consider pet ownership, just as they consider other things which have an impact.

Do you have more than 1 car? Do you go on holiday abroad via plane? Do you use single-use plastic? Use aerosols? Leave the room without switching the light off? Do you use make-up from companies that test on animals? Do you eat meat?

If yes to any of the above then you yourself are damaging the environment.

Or have children? Worst thing you could do to the environment. Worse than all of the above.

An unnecessary luxury .... grow a heart ffs

I've got one and I love animals, including wildlife, which is why I like to consider my impact on the environment. So I won't get a pet, as it is completely unnecessary. Rescues, which are neutered are a different kettle of fish though. But if we didn't keep demanding more cute wee fur babies, we wouldn't be churning out so many animals which then end up having to be rescued. So, it's cyclical.

Call me miserable if you want, but don't just stick your head in the sand. Do some research. Owning a meat eating dog is one of the worst things a family can do for the planet.

My dog is a rescue. He'd be doing the same amount of environmental damage in terms of meat and waste production whether I had him or not, so that's kind of a moot point. He also never goes off lead and doesn't bark, so habitats and noise pollution aren't a concern either.

I like fireworks in that they're pretty to look at, but people have no regard at all about letting them off - it's started already where I am and bonfire night isn't for another 2-3 weeks! One night is manageable - constant fireworks every weekend (and some weeknights) for over a month is a pisstake and not just because it might make my dog upset.

YABU.

Strange arguement and not sure why you've posted a rather passionate post about this to be honest. I agree with others that some fireworks should be for display only as there are too many dicks out there. Nothing wrong with a Catherine wheel or a sparkler at home, but I hate people letting off massive bangers and rockets in their tiny back garden. I just don't get the appeal, but it's probably a macho teenage boy thing. The fact that it upsets pets, small kids and soldiers suffering from PTSD just adds to the arguement that certain fireworks should be display only.

Your argument is rather incoherent.
No cat can ever truly be owned by a human - a dog definitely .

Agree. In the village I live the animals/pets are far more anti social. There are two fields opposite my road. One has a lovely family that puts on bi-annual parties for the locals including a bonfire/firework display. Recently stables have been built on the field next door and now there is a whole lot of whinging about the fireworks affecting the horses. They were having these parties long before the horses arrived. These are the same horses that are taken down our private road although there is a sign that says they can’t and leave great big horse shits in our path.
The amount of dog poop also on the pavements in the village is disgusting. Every morning on my walk to school I see a fresh one. That is far more anti social than a few fireworks for a few weeks. I wish they would make owning a dog a lot harder. There are a lot of irresponsible dog owners.

Or have children? Worst thing you could do to the environment. Worse than all of the above.

Absolutely! So, if the choice was for me never to own a pet, so that someone could have a child, I would obviously forgo the pet.

And I would guess most dog owners also have children. Family plus dog you see? Not always either or.

The people who go for a dog over a baby usually do so for reasons other than climate change as anyone serious enough about climate change to selflessly forgo having otherwise wanted children probably wouldn't get a dog or cat.

I'm not saying ban them. I'm saying think before you get pet after pet. Just as you think before buying a bottle of water or taking a flight.

I agree. Really have no problem with fireworks at all. Hardly as if they’re being let off 365. Some people are only happy when whinging on.

And how anyone can describe themselves as a ‘non animal lover’ sends a shiver down my spine.

Seriously?

PS: @joxergoestostutgart

I LOVE your name! Christy Moore fan??