Labour's Nancy Platts: Fireworks cause distress to pets

I’m proud it was a Labour government that introduced the hunting ban and that we’ve consistently presented strong policies to strengthen animal welfare and combat cruelty against animals across the UK and around the world.

I’m also proud of our record locally and we recently gained support for motions to ban the sale of fur on council-owned properties to help meet our goal of becoming a fur-free city.

We have also moved to ban sky litter, such as glowing lanterns and helium balloons, from passing over council-owned land where animals could be harmed.

One issue that I am regularly contacted about is the distress caused to animals by fireworks.

READ MORE: Call for firework noise limit after pet dies from shock

I love the excitement of a winter firework display and usually join one of the organised events in the city. Along with the whizzes and sparkles, I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they come together to share the experience.

I certainly don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, but I do echo the concern of other animal lovers about the distress caused to animals.

Research shows that 62 per cent of dogs, 54 per cent cats and 55 per cent of horses show signs of distress during fireworks.

The impact can go beyond psychological distress when animals injure themselves as they try to run away or hide from the noise.

The British Horse Society reports 20 deaths, ten serious injuries and 88 mild to moderate injuries caused by firework incidents since 2010.

For many pet owners the effects can impact everyday life. This can include weeks where exercising their dogs is a problem because they become afraid to leave the house.

It can also mean evenings spent calming pets who are shaking and crying and coaxing them out from under the furniture.

Sadly, it is not only pets that are affected – farm animals are just as frightened by loud noises and sudden flashes of bright light which can startle them, causing injuries. Wildlife also suffer from distress of the noise and the debris left behind.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) says there is not enough legislation to prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing death, injury or distress to animals and is calling on councils to act because they believe the law is failing.

I am heartened to hear that 36 councils across England and Wales have already decided to take steps to make fireworks less frightening for animals and I am very proud that Labour councillors took a similar motion to Brighton and Hove City Council this week.

Thank you to everyone who got in touch to highlight this important issue – you may have helped change council policy.

All premises selling fireworks are already required to register with the local authority and in conjunction with the fire service, inspections are carried out on each to ensure that fireworks are being sold in compliance with the law.

National legislation permits fireworks to be sold throughout the year, however, we found that very few premises in the city, if any, apply for this with the majority applying for a licence to sell just for Bonfire Night.

This means the times they can be sold are October 15 to November 10 and the run up to New Year, Chinese New Year and Diwali.

One area that does need examining is noise levels.

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Shops are selling bigger and louder fireworks each year and we need to reduce the maximum decibels permitted for private use from the current level of 120 decibels – equivalent to a jet aircraft taking off – to 90 decibels, closer to a car door slamming.

In addition, all fireworks available to the public should clearly display an accurate noise level.

The RSPCA also recommends licensing all public firework displays and ensuring they are better advertised to the public.

This would mean residents can appeal against the licence being granted and prepare to protect their pets before any event.

It is important to balance people’s need to celebrate important events with animal welfare measures and any measures taken by the council will be done in consultation with everyone affected.

The council’s animal welfare officers already promote the excellent guidance issued by the RSPCA to pet owners about looking after their pets during firework events.

This includes the encouraging advice that phobias can often be overcome with appropriate training and suggestions around managing noise and creating safe havens for pets within the home.