Should fireworks displays be banned? asks GSPCA
The Animal Shelter is trying to gauge if fireworks displays should be banned or limited, in the wake of complaints about dozens of displays causing animals distress around bonfire night.
More than 30 displays were declared to the States for Tuesday 5 November alone, and the nights around the main day have also been filled with fireworks.
GSPCA manager Steve Byrne said this year the shelter was seeing more private firework events over a longer period of time than in previous years.
It has launched a firework survey to assess public feeling and feedback on these events 'good or bad’.
‘At the GSPCA we have had challenges in helping a number of animals and even at the Shelter seen those in our care upset and distressed.’
Fireworks can cause fear and distress for many animals due to the sudden, loud noises and RSPCA figures show that nearly half of all dogs show fear when they hear a firework.
Animals can also be injured as they attempt to run or hide from the noise.
‘This year we have been involved with and heard of a number of instances that has led to lost and distressed animals, owners and public due to the number of events, and as such launched a survey to gauge feelings of islanders,’ Mr Byrne said.
‘Thankfully as yet we haven’t seen any wildlife injured and needing rescuing and our care due to fireworks.
'Every period of fireworks that we are aware of we promote safety messages to help prevent stress to owners' animals and how to avoid injuring wildlife.
It is pleasing to see that thankfully we don’t see as many incidents as in the past.’
Guernsey has strict rules around fireworks. They can only be sold by licensed premises in the week preceding 5 November to people aged over 20.
‘There are now only two retailers of fireworks, who do not release them until days before 5 November and the States register and alert page for fireworks has certainly helped islanders know in advance when events are and where they take place,’ Mr Byrne said.
But while this allows pet owners to prepare, wildlife cannot.
Mr Byrne said the Shelter was urging islanders to attend organised events and to use silent fireworks to reduce the stress and upset it can cause to animals and people.
The new survey asks what people think of local firework laws, whether pets are distressed during displays, whether they have seen any wildlife suffer, and whether all fireworks displays should be limited or banned.
The survey can be found here.
There is one private display in Castel tonight, and then four displays on Friday night. Three of these are private, but the fourth is the La Houguette School public display event, which runs from 5pm.
