To think fireworks either need to be banned

[IceAndLemonPlease]

Or made soundproof?
I have spent the last 5 hours trying to calm my terrified cat who has hid under my bed refusing to come out. My daughter woke up crying an hour ago as the fireworks were deafening and I haven’t been able to concentrate on a thing as it’s so noisy outside. Honestly been worse than NYE around here these past few days. Definitely have been going on until past 11PM also.

This thread has obviously been hijacked by animal haters. Fwiw you’re not going to have any effect on whether people choose to have pets .

Fireworks have been around for years, I haven't noticed them getting any noisier than they used to be. Surely you knew about the existence of fireworks when you got your cat?

I can hear the odd few if I concentrate but I don’t really hear much noise. Maybe it’s because i’m used to city noise? I can also hear a plane, an emergency siren, cars etc but only if I actually concentrate on listening.

They will be banned before long I’m sure.

The way these threads turn into black and white pets v fireworks is so tedious. It’s entirely possible to dislike both yapping dogs and excessive fireworks. I do. It’s also possible to have pets without being the sort of owner who lets them crap everywhere, just as it is to enjoy fireworks without being a total pest.

Whatever happened to the arts of compromise and consideration for others?

I'm so bored of people moaning about fireworks and their pets. And I have pets.

@CardamomGarden i know. It gets so tedious. I have a rescue dog . I don’t mind fireworks on one or two nights. I walk my dog before dark around those times. I think that fireworks are having less of an acceptable place in society because of the safety and nuisance and environmental issues for a mere display of colour.

It’s really quite crazy that you are literally still allowed to walk into a shop, buy them and just set them off in your back garden, with no consideration for anything or anyone round about you.

There are always the people who will say ‘animals have always been scared of them and no one moaned 10 years ago’ etc but I think probably with the use of social media etc it’s now just way more widely known the terror some animals (and humans) experience as a result of them. I have a really calm old dog but he gets himself into such a state over them. A few years ago someone (well known local hard man) set off an industrial sized box of fireworks at the park directly across from my house. They were shooting off at all sorts of angles, almost hitting houses and many exploding when they weren’t far enough off the ground. They were huge! I’d never phoned the police for anything before but I frantically called them in that situation as it was just so so unsafe. I don’t even know what the rules actually are about whether you’re allowed to set them off in a park but it just seems insane that you can still do that. Organised displays should be allowed to take place between 7-7.30 on 5th November and no other fireworks. Ideally if they were the silent ones it would be even better. It’s just another example of why humans think they’re superior to every other species and we’ll act like spoilt children because we want to see a huge explosion with a big bang regardless of how much it terrified the life out of so many poor creatures. I’ve never seen fireworks so good that they were worth a life

People shouldn’t have to arrange their Diwali celebrations around other people kids or pets. I agree they shouldn’t go off past 11 on school nights, but other people cats on a daily basis is far more annoying.

I have been to soundless displays. They are fantastic
Couldn't disagree more, a soundless display sounds well boring.
Half the experience and fun is in the bang.
As for OP, it's Diwali so I'm not surprised fireworks are going off tonight. It's not always about Bonfire Night.

It's 2 or 3 times a year and humans trump animals. Keep them inside and play calming music do what you can to mitigate it but people can't stop years of tradition because of a family pet.

I don’t think pets are the main argument, more the nuisance and danger and environmental issues . I accept that my dog is my responsibility.

Going off here now.

Still going off now. I can't sleep. It's making me anxious. Is this someone's idea of fun? Fuck them. Honestly. And I love having fun. And I know how to have fun, also. Without inconveniencing others...

I’m not much of an animal lover, and I don’t particularly enjoy yapping dogs. However I think there is so much more to this discussion than the impact on animals.

The elderly, the anxious, the neurodivergent, and so may others, can also be affected. We find this time of year exceptionally challenging with our autistic daughter. The sound of fireworks is physically painful for her. She becomes extremely distressed. So whilst for some people this is “fun”, for others it’s a nightmare which can lead to days of dysregulation, an interruption to education when they are too stressed and exhausted to go to school the next day, and heightened fear which impacts on their ability to function. A little empathy and consideration goes a long way.

Is this someone's idea of fun?

Looking at NYE celebrations around the world I think a fair few do find fireworks fun.

After today I agree. A neighbour to my horses field had fireworks last night without informing us so we could move them. The result was a panicked horse who bolted through a fence and got tangled up and was on the floor for ten hours . Three fire engines, a vet, animal rescue and animal welfare took over two hours to free him. He is now extremely lame, covered in wounds, has a huge hematoma, lost lots of weight, has ataxia and is exhausted.

It need not of happened .

He may never get better from his injuries.

Absolutely heartbreaking!
Im so sorry for your beautiful horse, I hope he gets better soon.

Fireworks should be banned unless its a public display, I absolutely hate them as it terrifies my pets.

One late night won't hurt them! 🙄

Also you could try playing firework noises to your children like people do with dogs. You gradually increase the sound and they end up giving no fucks. (I understand it's not that easy with rescue dogs/ foster kids).

To be fair, I do think only silent fireworks should be sold for domestic purposes.

But it's only a couple of weeks out of the year and if you stay inside with your windows closed, they're not actually that loud, are they? Or maybe I'm just going deaf in my old age.

BTW I do have double glazing but it's pretty old and needs to be replaced. So maybe that helps drown it out.

I do think people are becoming less tolerant though, especially when the fireworks are occurring because of Diwali. Had people complaining about it on the local FB page, apparently fireworks shouldn't be let off today because it's Remembrance Sunday and it's disrespectful, but I bet if Guy Fawkes night fell on Remembrance Sunday (I know this isn't possible!) it would be absolutely fine.

@Meeka1976 oh your poor horse

How awful. So sorry.

Just had lots go off here and it's midnight. I personally think it should just be organised events or atleast make they soundless.

Saying that I have never enjoyed bonfire night even as a child. Just remember freezing to death waiting ages then thinking meh when they did go off so maybe I just don't get the fun element 😆

It's ridiculous they need to get banned. It's past midnight I can still hear them what the fuck and it's a school night

I know, exactly. Is there a petition going? Can someone please share?

I hate them for the sake of pets and all animals but mostly they’re a bit basic. Surely we’re beyond being excited by flashy lights in the sky?