A new petition on the House of Commons website calls for an exploration into current legislation surrounding public use of fireworks in Canada. Put forth by Laurel Collins, the NDP representative in Victoria, BC, this petition aims to improve national regulations surrounding the safety of the largely unregulated fireworks industry, with the goal of improving community safety and well-being.
The petition states that municipalities have not been effective at addressing the concerns surrounding fireworks safety in our communities, and that provinces have been legislating their use through a “patchwork” approach.
Collins lists a great number of concerns on the official petition, known as Petition e-3591, which can be found at https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3591. Of those, she cites wildfire risks, pollution and toxic debris, trauma to those with PTSD and sensory disorders, personal injuries, lack of congruent regulations, risks to the welfare of wildlife, and also health risks to domesticated pets.
That last point is of particular interest to the pet industry, as the conversation surrounding the detrimental effects of fireworks on pets has been ongoing for decades. In fact, there is an entire industry surrounding calming products, from wearable garments to supplements, specifically designed to calm down pets during fireworks.
Stress disorders can be debilitating for many pets, especially dogs, and the distressing sound of fireworks only serves to amplify their anxiety. As a result, this can cause fear-based behavioural issues, loss of appetite, reactivity, loss of bowel control, and may even be life-threatening for pets with stress-sensitive health problems.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), it is estimated that over 60% of dogs display marked signs of distress when exposed to fireworks. This stress can lead to what’s known as ‘fireworks fear’, where exposure to fireworks causes an immense amount of psychological stress that has a profoundly negative effect on the mind and body. In many cases, residual stress may last for hours, days, or even weeks after the fireworks have ended.
The stress caused by fireworks can put pets into fight or flight mode. According to a survey conducted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), nearly one in five lost pets are as a result of loud noises, including thunderstorms, fireworks, and more.
It can be extremely difficult for pet owners to plan in advance for these stressful events, as fireworks are often lit off sporadically throughout the warmer months. This is especially true in areas with a higher population of seasonal homes.
Some national parks have already decided to discontinue traditional fireworks, and are instead using special effects pyrotechnics or LED lights displays to wow crowds. These technologies still have the benefit of a beautiful lights show, without the intense sounds associated with traditional fireworks displays.
“Personally I wish they would have designated days fireworks were permitted,” stated Jodie Hawker, owner of Meaford’s Happy Paws Canine Solutions, and specialist in lost pets. “Then everyone would be aware, and can plan to keep their pooches inside with some white noise. So many dogs go missing due to fireworks. I agree that it does a number on dogs that have not been desensitized to them,” she continued.
While this approach could have a substantial positive impact on our community’s pets, it would also be very difficult to regulate. If this petition makes it to the next stage, it will be very interesting to see how it progresses.
As of Sunday, December 12, it had close to 8,500 signatures and climbing. It will be open until February 25 of next year.
I am all for the excitement and fanfare that comes with a beautiful fireworks display, however, given the proven detrimental impact traditional fireworks have on pets, wildlife, and the environment, I am hopeful that we will one day reach a happy middle ground by using fireworks alternatives.
From intricate LED displays, to jaw-dropping drone shows, and more, there are plenty of creative ways we can celebrate in a manner that is enjoyable for the viewers, compassionate for the environment, and humane for the animals.
Brandon Forder, known as The Pet Expert, is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, an industry leader in healthy pet lifestyles. Brandon is certified in pet nutrition, and has more than twenty-five years’ experience specializing in pet health and behaviour. He has written hundreds of informative pet-related articles for newspapers, magazines, radio, and the popular Ask the Pet Expert Blog. Brandon is highly skilled in pet problem solving, and enjoys teaching others about smart and responsible pet ownership. To learn more, visit www.CanadianPetConnection.ca.
