Guide Dog Owner Describes Pet’s Distress During Fireworks Season

The approach of Bonfire Night and shorter days brings apprehension for Amanda Baker. As a partially-sighted individual who relies on her guide dog, Eddie, she anticipates needing to remain indoors each evening to shield him from his profound fear of fireworks, which can be set off unexpectedly. Ms. Baker, residing in Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, noted that the firework season has already commenced in her area, and the sounds of bangs and whistles cause seven-year-old Eddie to enter such a “state” that he is unable to perform his duties and requires several hours to regain composure. The British Fireworks Association stated its encouragement for the responsible deployment of fireworks, appealing to individuals to show consideration for their neighbours, particularly those who own pets or possess sensitivities to noise. Ms. Baker reported that her attempts to highlight this concern on local social media platforms have been unsuccessful, further noting that witnessing the impact on her dog is distressing. She elaborated, “Eddie gets very stressed. He pants, he cries,” adding, “As big as he is, he climbs all over me. His heart’s racing. We’ve tried everything that’s available to comfort him. He won’t eat, he won’t drink, he won’t go out to the toilet.” She continued, “It’s very stressful for him and on top of that it’s stressful for us because we’re worried about him. Sometimes he gets so stressed I worry he’s going to have a heart attack or a stroke, because there’s no comforting him at all.” This situation also results in a curtailment of her independence, as she is unable to leave her home without Eddie. The charity Guide Dogs indicated that approximately a quarter of guide dog owners report their animals exhibiting signs of distress upon encountering fireworks. Tim Stafford, the director of canine affairs, explained that the organization dedicates efforts to socializing their puppies and familiarizing them with firework sounds via recordings. However, he noted that actual fireworks present a distinct challenge, and while most dogs recover swiftly from sudden noises, some do not. Mr. Stafford further commented, “Someone who would normally go home on the bus or the train, because they are perhaps leaving an office after dark, they can’t do that in firework season. “Because they have to protect the dog from that fear, so the dog can work safely for them.” He expressed a desire for increased restrictions on the sale of fireworks, yet also suggested that improvements could be more readily achieved if individuals opted for silent fireworks or exclusively attended organized displays, rather than setting off fireworks at private residences. In a formal statement, the British Fireworks Association conveyed its understanding of the concerns articulated by Amanda Baker and Guide Dogs. However, it stressed the importance of balancing these concerns with the potential adverse effects of more stringent regulations, citing a possible increase in black market sales of fireworks, which would present greater management challenges. Nevertheless, the association does advocate for certain modifications, including an increase in the minimum age for purchasing fireworks from 18-years-old to 21-years-old, and a stricter enforcement against the sale of illicit fireworks. It further stated, “We at the British Fireworks Association work very closely with the government and have formulated a ten-point plan to help tackle anti-social behaviour and changed the Firework Code to cover some of the key areas we felt we could make a difference through education.” Eddie has since been prescribed a sedative medication intended to assist him in remaining calm throughout the firework season, though Ms. Baker noted that while it provides some relief, it only “takes the edge off.” She is undertaking every possible measure to maintain his tranquility, including covering windows with blankets to obscure both noise and flashes of light, and increasing the television’s volume. She further disclosed that last year, Eddie was nearly removed from active service due to this problem, but she implored for him to remain. “We’ve worked really hard to get him back to where he is now. He’s wonderful at working, it’s just the loud noises,” she stated. “He gives me confidence, there’s such a love and a bond between us, I feel I can conquer the world when I am with him.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.