... 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?

There are countless reasons to stop selling fireworks to the general public. Impact on pets is probably quite far down the list, after risk of injury, strain on hospitals, fire brigades etc. I'm more concerned about the horses than I am my dogs, but we still go along to the local Scout run display as we love a good bonfire night. Organised displays are far better than a shitty Catherine wheel and a couple of rockets in your back garden anyway.

YABU.

"Fireworks cause extensive air pollution in a short amount of time, leaving metal particles, dangerous toxins, harmful chemicals and smoke in the air for hours and days. Some of the toxins never fully decompose or disintegrate, but rather hang around in the environment, poisoning all they come into contact with. Exposure to fine particles, like those found in smoke and haze, is linked to negative health implications, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks and even heart attacks, according to the EPA. People at greatest risk for problems are those with heart or lung disease, older adults and children.

In a fireworks display, those particles that fall to the ground (chemicals and actual physical pieces of waste) often contain propellant chemicals and colorants, which find their way into the soil and our water systems. Many of the raw materials used to create fireworks are mined from mountains, a destructive process that cuts down forests and destroys wildlife habitats. Leftover rock is discarded into valleys, blocking and polluting flowing streams"

www.terrapass.com/fireworks-impact-environment

That's all truly terrifying chardonnay...

It is always hilarious to read women in a parenting forum complaining about the negative environmental effects of owning pets... right after proudly announcing their pregnancy with baby number 5.*

Already been discussed.

Dog ownership is something I will cheerfully forgo if it means someone else can have a child.

Also, most dog owners also have children. It is not either or, they just do both.

People who genuinely are committed enough to the CC cause to forgo having children they would otherwise want to have, most likely would think twice before buying a dog. Neutered rescues being different, as I've discussed, but seeing as I don't think you've maybe read the entire thread, I'm reiterating.

Can't we just have some laser shows instead?

1 night a year I don't really give a shit. Except they're generally set off from now till January and there's no need for it. They're dangerous when sold to the general public. Today I've seen 2 horrific news reports in relation to fireworks, young teens throwing lit fireworks at moving cars. And a firework through someone's letterbox setting a house on fire at 1am this morning. Leaving a mum and her children homeless. Not worth it for some pretty lights in the sky IMO.

The idea that pet ownership equates to love of animals is debatable.

You'd have to be fucking mental to have a pet if you don't at least care for that animal. Picking up dog shit is not a fun hobby.

Surely if you love animals you wouldn't own something that kills wildlife

A lot of animals are predators. Without predators the ecosystem would not work.

and destroys wild habitats.

So that's the herbivores out too. Basically you are saying the only loveable animals are detritivores?

People objecting to fireworks because it makes Tiddles cry: not legitimate

OK, so you hate animals, we get that, I'm just not sure ranting to strangers on the internet about it is healthy. You need another outlet which allows you the same feeling of superiority and chance to lecture others.

By the way, OP, are you vegan by any chance?

Sorry if I’m slow on the uptake but does OP really have 5 kids? And talking about the environmental impact of having a pet?

I think they should be at organised displays only. People who do fireworks in their back garden surrounded by other houses are selfish.

I hate fireworks too I always think of the wildlife, the birds, the cows in the fields how terrified they must be?

I have just been outside and there’s twats already letting off bangers. Giving neds explosives always a great idea!

My pets are all rescues so we’re here anyway and are all neutered or about to be.

Also my cat is shit scared of the fireworks. So one of us stays home on 5th nov. It's the rest of the time that gets on my nerves

Fireworks are terrible for wildlife, and farm animals, not just pets. Birds panic and career into buildings etc, they are horrible.
When I was small everyone could buy fireworks, which was clearly insane as children were injured every year, but the big public displays were far less noisy than they they are now. More ground based fireworks like Catherine Wheels, fewer rockets, and far fewer really loud bangs.
I think big displays should be toned down and kept more ground based. It is horrible dealing with a terrified dog and therefore distressed children too. I also worry about wildlife, and all the toxic stuff in the fireworks themselves.

My cats have never been bothered by fireworks. On bonfire night I’m in with them with the telly on. If I don’t react to the fireworks they don’t so all is good. I also accept if bonfire night is mid week there are likely to be fireworks going off at the weekend

What annoys me are the ridiculous loud industrial type fireworks that are set off days before and after bonfire night a week each side. They should be banned

A lot of animals are predators. Without predators the ecosystem would not work

Pets are not part of the eco system though. They are a human invention. Like flying, or driving a car, or plastic packaging. Obviously, much cuter, but a human invention nonetheless. Pedigree dogs have been bred to suit us. There isn't much about them which is conducive with the natural environment.

Local to me we have had children strsp fireworks to a hamster and set him on fire fireworks going off during the day time personally I like fireworks but people like those spoil it for everyone and until everyone can be responsible then it should be professional people only if it was just in the evening on diwali bonfire night and new years it would not be an issue

Can't we just have some laser shows instead?
This!!! Is an amazing idea.

A laser outline of a dog that doesn’t scare kids, shit everywhere and bark all day sounds ace.

Same as a laser show cat that doesn’t crap in my garden.

Regardless of pets, the sheer amount of fireworks displays we now have drives me bonkers. The first was TONIGHT! It'll go on for over a month, with at least a couple of displays a week. I, as a human, find it very annoying.

My dogs aren't bothered by it at all. It's possible to habituate your pets to fireworks so they don't get upset.

Pets are not part of the eco system though. They are a human invention. Like flying, or driving a car, or plastic packaging. Obviously, much cuter, but a human invention nonetheless. Pedigree dogs have been bred to suit us. There isn't much about them which is conducive with the natural environment.

Yes. Absolutely yes.

Factor in their food, medicines, etc etc and pets are a massive environmental headache

A laser outline of a dog that doesn’t scare kids, shit everywhere and bark all day sounds ace.

My dogs don’t scare children, I pick up after them and they only bark occasionally.

Cats are bastards though.

Pets serve a purpose and I dont think that because we allegedly "created" them that we think it's ok not to consider them in our actions honestly? This year I'm buying ear muffs for the kids the cats will watch the fireworks through the windows as per usual my kids will be in the corners upset as per usual

Fireworks a few nights in the year.

Dog shit - every day on the school run.

YANBU.

Pets are not part of the eco system though. They are a human invention. Like flying, or driving a car, or plastic packaging.

But that ignores what an ecosystem is. It's a changing balance of a lot of factors, not some theoretical situation from millennia ago.

Most pets (except cats) have a negligible impact on the environment compared to other human activities. It would be deluded to have an ethical objection to pets (except cats) on environmental grounds.

Pets serve a purpose

So do fireworks.

They bring a lot of pleasure to many millions of people

My dogs are usually doped up with treats to keep them calm around bonfire night and other times when. Fireworks go off, so they are fine with it.

My dad however suffers panic attacks as the bangs remind him of the gunfire that he heard behind him, my mother, my brother, sister and me as we escaped from behind the iron curtain in 1978 after he'd pissed off the secret police one too many times a s was facing arrest.

They also bother a friend of mine who was injured when a stupid teenage twat let off a firework in front of her.

All more antisocial than me owning dogs so fuck off.

Same as a laser show cat that doesn’t crap in my garden.

We can economise and for the rest of the year use the lasers on the cats which shit in gardens.