A young zebra born at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic died at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm near Bristol, England, last week. It is believed the zebra, named Hope, died after being scared by fireworks, the zoo announced on Facebook.
When fireworks went off ahead of a bonfire last Wednesday, Hope ran into the boundary of her enclosure, according to the post. Zoo staff said they believe she was frightened by the bangs of the fireworks, which caused her to bolt.
If you’re a dog owner, there’s probably one thing you dread about holidays like New Year’s Eve or the Fourth of July. Fireworks scare dogs. Imagine you have no idea what fireworks are. Suddenly you see bright lights and hear explosions coming from the sky. You’d be pretty terrified, too. Fireworks wreak havoc on animals, and vet visits skyrocket around holidays where fireworks are common. Dogs, with their sensitive hearing, are especially vulnerable, and many hurt themselves trying to escape or hide. They can run and risk getting lost hit by cars.
There’s no doubt that a stunning fireworks show can be the highlight of anyone’s night. The bright lights and explosions are mesmerizing, causing us to forget the negative effects of the fireworks themselves. Many pet parents understand the anxiety and stress loud fireworks have on animals, but these details are usually overlooked by event planners. However, one little town in Italy is finally putting a stop to the noise.
Collecchio, a small town of 14,000 people located in the province of Parma, is making headlines in the pet parent community. Recently, a bill has been passed to make the use of loud fireworks illegal, in hopes of reducing stress on household animals and livestock. The people of Collecchio were recognizing some of the more severe side effects of fireworks on animals, such as anxiety, disorientation, and in extreme cases, burns or eye damage. Chickens are also less likely to produce eggs after the stress of a fireworks, causing issues in the farming community.
Legislation in Collecchio now states that silent fireworks must be used for events, in replacement of noise making ones. The government is hopeful that this will reduce “acoustic stress” on the animals, without eliminating fireworks from events completely.
Washington, DC – Flashing lights and loud booms may be
exciting for some during the Fourth of July weekend, but for pets, it can be a
nightmare.
The unfamiliar noise, rush of bright lights, swarms of
people, strange smells and sometimes firework debris falling, can prove to be
too much for your beloved pet, sending them leaping over, through or under the
fence.
“Every year we see several more pets get loose and run the
neighborhoods during the Fourth of July weekend,” Scott Giacoppo, chief of
field’s services for Washington Humane Society, told WJLA in an interview.
“We anticipate this will happen and thus, have extra
personnel and patrol staffed.”
Giacoppo went on to say that this situation isn’t much
different than the reaction you would see with pets and thunder, but with
fireworks, it can be nonstop.
Sadly, when pets run away in fear, they cause not only a safety
threat for themselves, but also for others. Sometimes, pets run in front of
cars, causing major accidents, unexpectedly being struck and killed.
Giacoppo said it is important to keep your pets inside, in
a safe and secure location this holiday weekend, but if they are otherwise
anxious, it may be worth talking to your vet about alternative solutions.
David Wright, dog trainer in Los Angeles, lists some dos
and don’ts to keep your pet(s) safe, and your sanity:
DO
Get collar IDs and microchips.
Use a crate or keep animals in a room where they can't
flee.
Crank up music or the television to mask the sound of
fireworks.
Provide water and food: Fear makes dogs pant, and
unfamiliar food makes them anxious.
Offer chewable toys or treats as a distraction.
DON'T
Take a pooch to see fireworks unless it's a noise-trained
police K-9 or guide dog.
Leave them outside, where they jump or dig to escape the
yard.
Approach dogs who look scared because they can attack.
