Scottish SPCA calls for ban on private fireworks sales to protect animals from fear and injuries

A charity has called for a UK-wide ban on the private sale and use of fireworks, warning of the “intense fear” they can cause animals.

The Scottish SPCA said sudden bangs, bright flashes and unpredictable bursts often see animals flee, injure themselves or become lost.

Others may hide, refuse food or remain distressed for hours after the noise has stopped.

Launching its campaign ahead of Bonfire Night, the charity has highlighted the impact of fireworks on animals in homes across the country, at rescue centres and farms, and in the wild.

A recent survey of 1,625 Scottish SPCA members found 98.2% would support a full ban on the public sale of fireworks in Scotland, limiting their use to organised displays in a safe and controlled environment.

Two-thirds of respondents also said they were “extremely anxious” about Bonfire Night and its effect on their pets.

One pet owner described her horror when a group of young people threw a rocket at her dog, Maya, while on a lunchtime walk at a park.

She said: “Maya bolted up the hill, heading for the road before I had the chance to get to her. I thought she was going to run straight into the path of a car and be hurt or killed.

“I ran up the hill after her not knowing what I would be faced with, praying that she would be okay.

“There was no sign of her when I reached the road, but I kept calling her name and searching for her.

“Eventually I heard her whimpering and found her, cowering in the middle of a bush absolutely terrified.

“It took me ages to get her to come out, she was so scared.

“Since that day, Maya had been frightened by any loud noises and gets really agitated and upset.

“If a car or motorcycle backfires when we’re out on a walk, she gets upset and tries to head for home.”

A cat ended up in the care of the Scottish SPCA on Bonfire Night in 2022 after she injured herself trying to escape the noise of fireworks.

Her injury required extensive treatment, meaning she was not ready to be rehomed until March 2023.

The fear and stress caused by the incident caused the cat to remain in the charity’s care for longer than usual.

Nicola Strachan, head of advocacy and strategic partnerships at the Scottish SPCA, said: “Preventable suffering is unacceptable.

“Where an animal is injured or loses its life because of fireworks, we cannot simply dismiss this as an unfortunate consequence of people enjoying themselves.

“No celebration can justify a death or injury that could have been avoided.

“Our staff see the distress fireworks cause to animals in our care, but this reaches far beyond our centres.

“It affects pets in people’s homes, horses in fields and stables, livestock on farms and wildlife with nowhere safe to retreat.

“We are asking governments to take that harm seriously and put stronger protections in place.”

As well as calling for UK-wide restrictions, the Scottish SPCA is urging the Scottish Government to set out a timetable for public licensing and restrictions on days of supply, and to ensure control zones are properly resourced and evaluated.

Nicola added: “There is a shared responsibility to protect animals, from the decisions governments make to the way celebrations are planned.

“Owners can take precautions, but they cannot reliably prepare for fireworks when they do not know when or where they will be set off.

“Wildlife has no one to make those preparations on its behalf.

“We need lasting change that prevents harm, alongside practical support to help people protect animals now.”