Call for fireworks restrictions after dog's death

A dog owner is calling for tighter restrictions on fireworks after her pet died when it became stressed by loud bangs.

Two-year-old Yorkshire terrier cross Lily was startled after a firework went off late at night on 4 November.

The dog's owner, Anna, from Lincoln, said she felt helpless as she had taken precautions to protect her pets during the evening.

The RSPCA has also called for more responsible use of fireworks, saying for many animals they were "a terrifying ordeal".

Anna, who did not want her surname to be used, said: "We had them wrapped in blankets, they had medicine to calm them down, we had the TV on really loud, the radio on. The curtains were closed, all the doors closed."

However, she told the BBC the family had started going to bed at about 22:00 GMT on Monday, assuming the fireworks were finished, when one went off nearby.

"Lily heard it, twitched and started yelping and crying for about five seconds," Anna said.

"Then she dropped onto the bed, really floppy. She died basically straight away."

She said she and her mother tried CPR for about half an hour, but added: "We knew she was gone as soon as she stopped crying.

"It was horrible because we felt so helpless. We thought we did everything we could but then that firework [went] off.

"She's been going through stress for weeks, not just one day which should be on the 5th [November]."

Anna is now calling for a law change on when fireworks can be used and a tightening of regulations.

It comes after a million-strong petition was handed to the government by a Grantham woman, who also called for tougher restrictions.

RSCPA campaign manager Carrie Stones said: "For many animals fireworks, and particularly the loud bangs, can be a terrifying ordeal.

"Unfortunately, it can happen where an animal loses its life on account of fireworks stress."

She said an RSPCA survey last year on the impact of fireworks received more than 1,200 responses from the public.

"We do believe this is the tip of the iceberg," she said.

Ms Stones said the RSPCA did not want to ban fireworks, as they were part of our history and culture and a way for communities to come together to celebrate.

However, she said: "The impact of fireworks on animals can be devastating and we believe that more responsible use, and tighter restrictions, will go a long way to making sure fewer animals suffer."

The charity is calling for a number of measures, including reducing the maximum decibel level of fireworks, as well as following the example in Scotland - where local councils can designate firework-free zones.

Rase Vets in Lincoln, where Lily was registered, said loud and high-pitched fireworks could have a negative impact on animal health and welfare by causing stress or fear responses across a range of species.

It said there were ongoing discussions on how best to address the issue.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.