To think that anyone who lets off fireworks not on the 5th of November is utterly selfish?

[DairyMilkBargain]

It’s taken us exactly 25 days to coax our cat to leave the house after she was scared by an early firework display. She was out for 10 minutes this evening and guess what, some idiot has set off a load of noisy bangers - nothing to see, just a load of noise. The cat is now shaking under the bed.

At the root of this for pet owners is a fundamental belief that many non-pet owners hold, that humans trump animals.

And, humans are only babies and toddlers for 2-3 years.

Ultimately, pet owners have brought their pets into our human lives. Silent fireworks are a good compromise.

I have a cat and dog who are not at all bothered about fireworks... yet two of my three children were absolutely terrified of hand dryers.

Animals get used to them and so do children. Do you think we should ban hand dryers?

I have a neighbour whose DS was killed in a crash about 20 years ago. Every year on that anniversary they set off fireworks

As do a couple of wedding venues near me

Agree. And I can hear fireworks tonight, literally some went off 2 mins before I saw this thread. Must be a nightmare if you have pets. I am in mum's area which is nice, but a friend in Brixton has issues with fireworks being thrown at doors etc.

How about wildlife? And horses? Farm animals?

I don't think fireworks do wildlife or farm animals a whole lot of favours either

It’s horrible and selfish, but it’s not that big a problem. I very rarely hear fireworks. However, I AM constantly disturbed by the screeching of car engines. I am sick to death of so-called ‘boy racers’. Right now I can hear the screeching of modified car engines and the explosions of modified car exhausts. This has been going on for years, but the police do FA about it, in spite of numerous complaints.

I think organised displays is the way to go but yabu to want to restrict it to a single date

Peoples lives dont revolve around other peoples pets. There has to be a balance.

Meh, it's irritating for some, enjoyment for others, the same as anything.
We can't police everything. The enjoyment you get from your pet is a nuisance to other people. That's what living in a society is, putting up with things that we wouldn't choose but do so, knowing that others put up with our choices too.
You are just as selfish in your own way.

It's not just pets with 'selfish' owners, it's also wildlife. And the chemicals fireworks spray into the air www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/are-fireworks-bad-for-the-environment/

I am all for stricter regulation regarding for any fireworks for sale to the general public, and the largest and loudest being limited to organised displayed that are regulated by the Council for a certain number of days per year.

After all, my enjoyment of my pet dog is already regulated to minimise inconvenience for others. I am (quite rightly) expected to keep her under control in public places, not take her into areas where dogs are not allowed (e.g. children's playgrounds), and pick up her excrement.

There's no reason why other peoples activities shouldn't also be regulated to minimise the impact on others, while still allowing their activities to go ahead.

@JoonT , omg, the car engins !!! Totally !!! They drive me insane !!!!!

I don't get why big displays would be OK but private garden use is bad
The big displays go on for ages and ages and are 10 x louder.

couldn't get myself worked up about a firework going off tbf.

Maybe stop buying pets? Cats kill local wildlife, it could he argued that cats are a different kind of menace

Public displays have a publicised start time so you can plan to avoid it by going out or take measures around it vs the randomness of at home ones.

Fireworks pre-date the 5th Nov. They’re used for all sorts of celebrations.

@socialserviceshelpplease The large public displays are better as you know when they are happening and once they are finished, that's it. I can go to walk my dog after dinner here, around 8 or 9pm and have them go off suddenly. She is okay with fireworks and with thunder and lightning but I wouldn't want one going off near her as she might bolt. Other dogs are not and it's the unexpected that's the annoying thing about back garden displays.