Fireworks Threaten Animals
By Louise Thompson Accredited Animal Behaviour Consultant (abc OF SA )
It is clear from research that using fireworks near animals is both cruel and inhumane.
“Firework displays and celebrations bring confusion, anxiety and fear into the lives of animals, causing many to run away from their homes in an effort to escape the frightening detonations. Fireworks are not animal-friendly. Invariably, when communities celebrate with fireworks, local shelters and other animal aid organizations are overwhelmed by the "fallout”, which manifests in an increased number of stray animals and reports of injuries and trauma to animals. Those animals reunited with their families must consider themselves fortunate. Many injured or terrorized animals run away from their homes to escape the traumatizing detonations of fireworks. Some are hit by cars and injured or killed, some are maimed for life, while others are never recovered alive.
Firework explosions can produce a blind panic in animals that can lead to serious injury, deep-rooted, debilitating fears, or even death. This is, in part, because the events do not last long enough for animals to become accustomed to the explosions. Moreover, the ears of most animals are considerably more sensitive than the human ear. Therefore, the explosion of a firework (which can emit sounds of up to 190 decibels, a full 110 to 115 decibels higher than the 75- to 80-decibel range, where damage to the human ear begins) not only is proportionately more disturbing to an animal, it can also affect an animal's acute sense of hearing.
In addition, animals who are too close to firework explosions often suffer significant burns and eye damage. Fireworks generate a noise level higher than the noise from gunshots (140 decibels) and low-level flying jets (100 decibels). Irreversible ear damage, such as tinnitus and loss of hearing in humans starts at the 80-decibel range.
Startling, extremely loud sounds must have a detrimental effect on wildlife as well. In 1996, research demonstrated that hatchling and juvenile black ducks at a site of over flights in Piney Island, N.C., grew slower and had less body weight than black ducks living in low-noise areas. A study to examine the impact of sound from loud gunshots on snow geese found that the birds reduced their feeding time. The energy loss created could be only partially compensated for by feeding at night, resulting in less time resting and sleeping. Over time, these sorts of behaviours no doubt reduce survival rates. Dr. David Noakes, a zoologist at the University of Guelph, Ontario, points out that the combined responses to fireworks of panic and disorientation can result in birds' flying into a building or too far out to sea. Researchers at Acadia University, Nova Scotia, found that colonial species of birds that nest in high densities, such as the herring gull, are most at risk during a round of firecracker explosions. After a loud bang, most birds fly away in fright, and the nesting mothers of the flock sometimes cannot find their own nest upon return, endangering the well-being of nestlings.
Fireworks produce light, noise and air pollution. The explosion of fireworks also releases poisonous chemicals and particle-laden smoke, contaminating our natural environment. As a consequence, fireworks pose a hazard to wildlife living in or near areas where firework displays occur, as well as wildlife downwind.
And these chemicals are also hazardous to companion animals living in the area where they are detonated. In addition, we can not forget humans with asthma and other health problems.
Fireworks can affect farm animals, too. Dr. Ian Duncan, a University of Guelph ethnologist, has demonstrated that laying hens show extremely low egg production the day after fireworks and the eggs are often malformed as well.
Dogs, cats, and other companion animals don't understand that the terrifying loud bangs are a celebration. One can only imagine what they think, given how much more sensitive their hearing is than ours. Humane societies across North America report that after firework displays they are swamped with calls about lost dogs and cats. Dogs are brought to shelters with paws bloody from running or torn skin from tearing through a backyard wooden fence or, worse, crippled from being hit by a car.
The need to protect both companion animals and non domesticated animals from fireworks harm is exemplified in the numerous stories of animal suffering that we are left with after the smoke has cleared. For example, dogs have responded to firework explosions by breaking through windows and screens, often running miles away from their homes, only to end up exhausted, bloody and confused or dead on the road. A bull trying to escape his pen in response to a fireworks display died after becoming impaled. The city of Carrollton, Texas, decided to cancel its 1999 July Fourth fireworks celebration after a fireworks test indicated that the lights and sounds disturbed egrets at a nearby rookery. Even guide dogs - who are well trained and prepared for the big bad world - are sometimes left so terrorized by the explosions that they suffer severe emotional distress and are unable to assist their companions. Consequently, it is not surprising that firework events generate an increase in the number of stray animals, as well as an increase in reports of injuries and trauma to animals.
For animals, fireworks are no cause for celebration. However, fireworks remain a holiday fixture in most communities around the world, despite the increased acceptance of alternatives such as laser light shows and neighbourhood festivals.
“Firework displays and celebrations bring confusion, anxiety and fear into the lives of animals, causing many to run away from their homes in an effort to escape the frightening detonations. Fireworks are not animal-friendly. Invariably, when communities celebrate with fireworks, local shelters and other animal aid organizations are overwhelmed by the "fallout”, which manifests in an increased number of stray animals and reports of injuries and trauma to animals. Those animals reunited with their families must consider themselves fortunate. Many injured or terrorized animals run away from their homes to escape the traumatizing detonations of fireworks. Some are hit by cars and injured or killed, some are maimed for life, while others are never recovered alive.
Firework explosions can produce a blind panic in animals that can lead to serious injury, deep-rooted, debilitating fears, or even death. This is, in part, because the events do not last long enough for animals to become accustomed to the explosions. Moreover, the ears of most animals are considerably more sensitive than the human ear. Therefore, the explosion of a firework (which can emit sounds of up to 190 decibels, a full 110 to 115 decibels higher than the 75- to 80-decibel range, where damage to the human ear begins) not only is proportionately more disturbing to an animal, it can also affect an animal's acute sense of hearing.
In addition, animals who are too close to firework explosions often suffer significant burns and eye damage. Fireworks generate a noise level higher than the noise from gunshots (140 decibels) and low-level flying jets (100 decibels). Irreversible ear damage, such as tinnitus and loss of hearing in humans starts at the 80-decibel range.
Startling, extremely loud sounds must have a detrimental effect on wildlife as well. In 1996, research demonstrated that hatchling and juvenile black ducks at a site of over flights in Piney Island, N.C., grew slower and had less body weight than black ducks living in low-noise areas. A study to examine the impact of sound from loud gunshots on snow geese found that the birds reduced their feeding time. The energy loss created could be only partially compensated for by feeding at night, resulting in less time resting and sleeping. Over time, these sorts of behaviours no doubt reduce survival rates. Dr. David Noakes, a zoologist at the University of Guelph, Ontario, points out that the combined responses to fireworks of panic and disorientation can result in birds' flying into a building or too far out to sea. Researchers at Acadia University, Nova Scotia, found that colonial species of birds that nest in high densities, such as the herring gull, are most at risk during a round of firecracker explosions. After a loud bang, most birds fly away in fright, and the nesting mothers of the flock sometimes cannot find their own nest upon return, endangering the well-being of nestlings.
Fireworks produce light, noise and air pollution. The explosion of fireworks also releases poisonous chemicals and particle-laden smoke, contaminating our natural environment. As a consequence, fireworks pose a hazard to wildlife living in or near areas where firework displays occur, as well as wildlife downwind.
And these chemicals are also hazardous to companion animals living in the area where they are detonated. In addition, we can not forget humans with asthma and other health problems.
Fireworks can affect farm animals, too. Dr. Ian Duncan, a University of Guelph ethnologist, has demonstrated that laying hens show extremely low egg production the day after fireworks and the eggs are often malformed as well.
Dogs, cats, and other companion animals don't understand that the terrifying loud bangs are a celebration. One can only imagine what they think, given how much more sensitive their hearing is than ours. Humane societies across North America report that after firework displays they are swamped with calls about lost dogs and cats. Dogs are brought to shelters with paws bloody from running or torn skin from tearing through a backyard wooden fence or, worse, crippled from being hit by a car.
The need to protect both companion animals and non domesticated animals from fireworks harm is exemplified in the numerous stories of animal suffering that we are left with after the smoke has cleared. For example, dogs have responded to firework explosions by breaking through windows and screens, often running miles away from their homes, only to end up exhausted, bloody and confused or dead on the road. A bull trying to escape his pen in response to a fireworks display died after becoming impaled. The city of Carrollton, Texas, decided to cancel its 1999 July Fourth fireworks celebration after a fireworks test indicated that the lights and sounds disturbed egrets at a nearby rookery. Even guide dogs - who are well trained and prepared for the big bad world - are sometimes left so terrorized by the explosions that they suffer severe emotional distress and are unable to assist their companions. Consequently, it is not surprising that firework events generate an increase in the number of stray animals, as well as an increase in reports of injuries and trauma to animals.
For animals, fireworks are no cause for celebration. However, fireworks remain a holiday fixture in most communities around the world, despite the increased acceptance of alternatives such as laser light shows and neighbourhood festivals.
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