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Original poster

Who takes their dogs to a firework display.

43 replies

CaKeLady62 · 28/09/2025 22:57

As in title.
I went to an event to celebrate 200 years of the railway this evening.

Whilst I was there me and dp noticed how many people had brought their dogs.

Who does that. It was a huge organised event ending with a firework display.

We noticed a couple behind us with two dogs, one on a lead at their feet, the other in one of the couples arms.

The event was noisy with loud music.

My partner and I spoke to each other about how uncomfortable and stressed the dogs were.

As soon as the fireworks started the dogs were off, one breaking free from it's harness.

Who the he'll takes their dogs to an event knowing that it will be crowded, noisy and fireworks to boot.

My aibu is that there's posts all over local Facebook with pictures of the dogs, only one is missing. There's so many comments about how distressing it is for the owners to have lost a dog. I've commented and told it like it was.

How totally irresponsible of the owners. My sympathy is with the dogs.

Are people really that stupid.

I'm so sad that this has happened. Those as poor, poor dogs.

OP posts:
CautiousLurker01 · 29/09/2025 16:59

ninjahamster · 28/09/2025 23:07

My dog ADORES fireworks. She sits in the window if she hears any going off. I used to take her out for walks at night on bonfire night just so she could enjoy them! So I would happily take her to a display. I think we actually did when she was younger.

My dogs have no issue with fireworks either. Totally unbothered. Reckon because we don’t flap and bicker about them - and because they’re a gun dog breed who seem to have an innate tolerance for bangs!

MuddlingThrough1724 · 29/09/2025 17:08

Thoughtless Idiots who don't care about their pets are who.

Happened at the village display near us a few years ago, a terrified dog ran off and then got run over on a nearby very busy road. I hope the owners were suitably ashamed of themselves.

RumJerrySailorRum · 29/09/2025 17:10

We always took our lab to bonfire night.

He would have been (he's dead now) mightily pissed off if we went for a walk without him!

We got do gooders being mouthy on several occasions. They did however have the good grace to apologise whe they realised he wasnt bothered.

AzureCats · 29/09/2025 19:57

Christ it absolutely does my titty in when people respond blatantly disregarding a large chunk of the OP. The dogs were bothered and then ran off, and still missing! Really irresponsible of the owners. Should never have taken them, should have left when they got distressed and held on better to them when they really kicked off.

Alucard55 · 29/09/2025 20:10

My dogs love them I hold them up at the window to see the bang bangs. But if I had a dog who was anxious in the slightest I'd do all I could to avoid fireworks with them.

sophiasnail · 29/09/2025 20:27

I wouldn't take our Poodle to a fireworks display but he would be completely fine if I did. He just isn't bothered by fireworks, bird-scarers, shotguns. We took him to a WW1 re-enactment once which we didn't know would have pyrotechnics at quite the level they did, but he just ignored them (whilst eyeing up our hotdogs!)

ChristmasTreasure · 29/09/2025 20:45

My dog stood by the side of a bust dual carriageway while a bloke from the AA hammered my tyre out. The sound of the metal clanging was louder than fireworks but he wasn’t bothered. Very chilled.

Not all dogs are afraid of loud noises, even per your op seemingly (the people with their 2 dogs didn’t seem to have any issue?).

Obviously if you know your dog IS afraid, it’s a stupid idea to drag them along - I cannot understand that at all and that is unfair and potentially dangerous

But plenty of dogs are nosy and want to be where everyone else if, and if that means putting up with fireworks and music they’re fine with that.

SeaAndStars · 29/09/2025 21:14

The first bonfire night we got our rescue dog we sweated blood making all kinds of provisions to ensure she was comfortable. Walk early, lots of blankets, treats, a hidey place, gentle music on. She didn't give a toss. Sat and snoozled all through the almighty racket going on outside.

Same with thunder and lightening. I got up the first night it happened to sit with her - she was snoring her head off.

HuskyNew · 29/09/2025 21:25

last year at our local school fireworks they were turning people away at the gate with dogs.

I did think who would take dogs to that event… they’re not allowed in the playground during the normal day and so why on earth would they be allowed in the dark for a firework show! Bonkers

Littletreefrog · 29/09/2025 21:28

We take our rescue dog. He gets stressed at noises he can't see but he can associate the bangs with the flashes and smells if he's at the fireworks so it's actually better to take him than leave him at home.

MotherofDogs3 · 29/09/2025 21:38

We have 4 dogs and only one of them is ok with fireworks and loud places. You could honestly take him anywhere loud it wouldnt bother him. The other 3 are terrified! One of them will be panting and shaking all night even once they stopped!

I definitely agree with you. It's cruel to take animals you know are scared to places like this. I really hope that poor dog is found safe and they have learnt their lesson!

bakebeans · 29/09/2025 21:41

YANBU. If the dogs were distressed
my previous 2 dogs used to love fireworks and would run into the garden wagging their tales with excitement when they were on. I probably wouldn’t take them to a display though.
The dog I’ve got now would be hiding under a table so it would be an absolute no to take her out.

filka · 30/09/2025 17:44

About 30 years ago I was living in the UK and had an Irish Wolfhound. Rosie was about 60kg and at the time I was about 75kg (sadly no longer..😥).

One evening I took her along the riverside path on the River Thames, and there was a firework display somewhere. It completely spooked Rosie and I got hauled along the river bank for about 1km so fast my arm was nearly pulled out of its socket.

Conclusion...dogs and fireworks is just a really bad idea.

Hot air balloons also had the same effect!

Original poster
CaKeLady62 · 30/09/2025 18:26

AzureCats · 29/09/2025 19:57

Christ it absolutely does my titty in when people respond blatantly disregarding a large chunk of the OP. The dogs were bothered and then ran off, and still missing! Really irresponsible of the owners. Should never have taken them, should have left when they got distressed and held on better to them when they really kicked off.

Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
CaKeLady62 · 30/09/2025 18:31

Just coming on to update.

The dog has been found thankfully.

OP posts:
03cg73 · 30/09/2025 18:41

I have 2 dogs. One is petrified of fireworks, shakes, pants, paces around the house looking for somewhere to hide and is generally miserable. The other one loves them and sits down on walks to watch them when they are inevitably going off all throughout October and November. I have taken him to displays before. I could not take his brother. I would genuinely be scared he would have a heart attack

it absolutely depends on the dog

Battical · 30/09/2025 18:43

I came home from work yesterday and my golden retriever was in the back garden. He’d bought a Standard box while I was out and was nailing a Catherine Wheel to the fence.

Original poster
CaKeLady62 · 30/09/2025 20:24

Battical · 30/09/2025 18:43

I came home from work yesterday and my golden retriever was in the back garden. He’d bought a Standard box while I was out and was nailing a Catherine Wheel to the fence.

Think you've missed the point of my post there.

The outcome for these poor dogs could have been much worse.

So many dogs are not so lucky.

As long as you find humour in this then you continue doing you.

End of.

OP posts:
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