More than 80% of people want fireworks to be banned to protect pets

Remember, remember your four-legged friends on the fifth of November…

Last night saw the Manchester skyline turn into a colourful and sparkly display of fireworks, as the city and the rest of the country celebrated Bonfire Night.  

It officially rings in the cold wintery weather, the end of Pumpkin Spiced Latte season and the start of mulled wine. 

While the evening is mostly a joyous occasion, those with dogs will know just how stressful the night can be. 

With this in mind, Tyla took to Twitter last night to find out just how many people think fireworks should be banned altogether.

Currently, you can set off fireworks until midnight on Bonfire Night, but 80.5% of their followers think fireworks should be banned all together to avoid causing distress to pets. 

The poll came after the RSPCA urged pet owners to start preparing animals for the stressful evening with their #BangOutOfOrder campaign.

The animal charity is now calling for a change in firework regulation, including reducing the maximum permitted decibels for fireworks and ensuring all public firework displays are licensed.

Additionally, they are calling for restrictions on private use to just traditional dates, as well as private firework boxes to be labelled.

RSPCA animal welfare expert Dr Mark Kennedy said: “Firework phobia is treatable and we recommend seeking advice from your vet or from a clinical animal behaviourist if your pet finds Bonfire Night frightening.

“While it may take months or even years for treatment plans to take effect for some pets with more severe phobias; for others, there are simple steps you can take at home in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night to help them keep settled.”

Other steps you can use include extra bedding and keeping your pets indoors ahead of nights where fireworks are popular.