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  • It is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animals.

 

  • Animals have very acute hearing. Loud bangs and whistles

    may cause them actual pain in their ears.

 

Blue Cross leaflet

 

Protect Your Animals

 

Although fireworks are fun for us, they are not fun for animals. Most animals get very scared by the lights and noise, so you should take precautions to protect your pets during the times of the year when fireworks are likely to be set off.

 

The animal charity Blue Cross says that the best thing you can do is to keep your pets indoors. This includes bringing in pets that are normally kept outside, such as rabbits or guinea pigs.

 

Close all of your windows and doors and try to drown out the noise as much as possible. And make sure that cats and dogs have name tags on them in case the noise scares them and they run off.

 

Blue Cross has a leaflet with more detailed advice on keeping your pets safe from fireworks.

 

Penalties

 

Under section 1 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animals. The penalty on conviction is a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months imprisonment, or both. Enforcement of this section of the Act rests with Trading Standards, the Police or the RSPCA as appropriate.

 

Firework curfew

 

Recent changes to the law mean that fireworks can't be set off between 11pm and 7am (apart from on 5 November, New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali, when the curfew is later). Hopefully, this curfew will keep to a minimum the times when animals and people are disturbed by fireworks.

 

• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.

• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.

• Keep fireworks in a closed box. 

• Follow the instructions on each firework.

• Light at arm's length, using a taper.

• Stand well back.

• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.

• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.

• Always supervise children around fireworks.

• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.

• Never give sparklers to a child under five.

• Keep pets indoors.