Just some comments from 2009/2008/2007/2006/2005
For more voters comments see here

November 6th 2009

I am a pet owner, I love animals dearly, but am sickened by the cruetly caused to them by thugs. This cruelty always increases as soon as fireworks go on sale. I have tried to avoid reading the newspaper so to avoid reading about these stories. However, it was brought to my attention in a local paper, a story about a little cat who had a rocket strapped to her back and set off. The poor creature suffered horrific burns, and when eventually found and taken to a vet she had to be put down. please click on this Ayrshire Post link to read the story. I'm sure this is just one of a hundred incidents involving animals and fireworks.

T.B. Ayr, Ayrshire

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November 5th 2009

It is 5 Nov 2009 and someone 2 doors down has been setting off fireworks for the last hour and as a concequence it feels like we're in a war zone. My three cats are beside themselves and my poor chickens are in total shock. There is an organised display arranged for Saturday so I think it is completely unnecessary for someone to have loud fireworks in their garden. I want to see all loud fireworks banned in residential areas and only permitted for organised displays for the three occasions per year suggested by this campaign. Fireworks can be beautiful to watch but I don't think the loud bangs are necessary to enjoy them so lets Ban the Bang!!!

L.M. Winchester, UK

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November 5th 2009

Why oh why haven't fireworks been banned to the general public and only allowed in proper well organised displays on one night. We have dogs and horses which are terrified of these fireworks. People who live opposite from where my horse is kept don't give a hoot that my horse is petrified and still fire them over towards the stable. The goverment really need to get a grip and ban them !

A.P. Bristol, UK

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November 5th 2009

It is not just animals that suffer its the babies & toddlers. My 1 year old son woke up screaming 3 times the other night by excessively noisy fireworks. Also 2 of my neighbours had recently given birth and god knows how it affected their babies. There is just no requirement for fireworks to be so loud, there aren't any child friendly firework displays these days as they are just too damn loud!

S.T. UK

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November 5th 2009

I am a vet and feel strongly about the lack of control of potentially lethal fireworks. The distress they cause to animals is a disgrace in our so-called animal loving nation.

L.F. Walsall, UK

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November 5th 2009

It is not just animals that suffer its the babies & toddlers. My 1 year old son woke up screaming 3 times the other night by excessively noisy fireworks. Also 2 of my neighbours had recently given birth and god knows how it affected their babies. There is just no requirement for fireworks to be so loud, there aren't any child friendly firework displays these days as they are just too damn loud!

S.T. Bristol, UK

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November 4th 2009

I am a vet and feel strongly about the lack of control of potentially lethal fireworks. The distress they cause to animals is a disgrace in our so-called animal loving nation.

L.F. Walsall, UK

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November 4th 2009

I'm 23 and relatively young but I have despised the misuse of fireworks for many years, mainly because of the distress they cause animals, but also due to the increase of antisocial behaviour. Fireworks are dangerous in the wrong hands and could be classed as a lethal weapon. I agree with this site and would like to see people only being able to obtain fireworks with a license, if they are known to the police. Keep up the good work!

C.W. Wiltshire, UK

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October 15th 2009

Every year we are subjected to firework noise from October right through until January, and often beyond. The noise causes upset to our pets and makes it difficult for our young children to sleep. In most cases the noise is from sporadic incidents, not displays. It is people who see fireworks as a tool more to create a nuisance than for personal enjoyment. If the bang was taken out of the equation, where people just enjoyed colourful displays,life would be fairer and better for all.

J.K. Luton, UK

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October 15th 2009

I really hope this happens as my dog has got to be prescribed drugs from the vet every year as he is very scared and gets so scared on bonfire night and for weeks after it he is very scared of every little bang. animals shouldnt have to live in fear.

K.R, Scotland

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October 15th 2009

I couldnt agree more with this campaign. my friends dog was stolen a few weeks before bonfire night by a group of young boys they tied her to a tree and set fireworks off right beside her which caused the dog a great deal of strees which she never fully recoverd from. i think organised display are ok as long as they are monitored by the right people.I really hope the sale of fireworks could be banned.

M.M. Glasgow, Scotland

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Sep 30th 2009

Because of persons unknown setting off fireworks at 17:20 on Sunday 27th Sept in a rural area, my terrified Collie bolted onto a main road and was killed by a car..

N. H-W. Northampton, UK.

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July 27th 2009

I have had damage to my property from firework displays in the large, expensive houses in this densely populated area. Given the number of religious festivals that occur during the year now we have to live through them very regularly. I now live in fear of the first fireworks display to occur since having a child, and the effect that this will have on him.

B.M. Hampstead, London, UK

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Aug 2nd 2009

The public sale of fireworks needs to stop due to the mindless persons that let off fireworks for no apparent reason at any given time. You cannot prepare your animals for these events as they happen all too often and pets should not have to be drugged because of this. My dog continually suffers because of fireworks and he is now a nervous wreck. Its not only domestic animals that suffer, think of the wildlife that must be terrified.

M.M. London, England.

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July 27th 2009

I live in the same road as a wedding venue which has huge fireworks twice a week. My dog is a nervous wreck on medication. How can this intrusion and selfishness be legal? I have no way to help him having failed to negotiate with them. Neither the police or the council can help.

E.M. Oxted, UK

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May 23rd 2009

My dog has been terrified of fireworks ever since our neighbours let off some rockets with no warning. My dog now shakes and pants for hours and her body goes into spasms the minute she hears even one firework. This fear of hers has now extended to thunder and lightning and in fact any stormy weather conditions. I have some calming pills ready for her on fireworks night but very often neighbours let off random fireworks at all times of the year and it is this that I object to.

Anon. England.

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December 1st 2008

I am fed up with my dog being terrified by fireworks. I support a complete ban on loud fireworks & the public sale of fireworks. They are dangerous, cause huge distress to animals & should be banned. How is it possible to buy explosives for pleasure?!? I shall pass your site on to as many people as possible, & will also be writing to my MP.

S.M. Pembroke Dock UK

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November 9th 2008

We have had to sedate our dogs for the past 8 nights and they are still going off, while out walking them late morning I found 3 disused rockets which were labelled "not to be used by the public .. for diplay only". This was in the street, so where are they coming from? The goverment want to fine us for overfeeding our pets but allow these bangs to go on for days,causing stress to all pets and wildlife. I personally would like to see them banned altogether.

P.F. England.

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November 6th 2008

How much polution do these stupid things make? I say ban them.

Anon. UK

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November 6th 2008

I am always puzzled why people derive pleasure in making unpleasant noises .And why the health and environment department allows these stupid fireworks to be sold. Apart from causing terror to wild and domestic animals ,these fireworks are also causing massive pollution to the atmosphere.All other noise sources are strictly controlled e.g car exhausts burglar alarms etc.Why not fireworks. .

R.A. Caernarfon , Wales

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November 5th 2008

I would push for a total ban on foreworks, however, banning the bang seems to be the first step. My 2 year old son is kept awake for a week when bonfire night comes around and my cats are terrified. But I feel it would not stop the sensless acts of hurting people and torturing defenless animals if a total ban was not in place. Fireworks are so dangerous that the surely everyone must see that the little delight you get is far outweighed by the mass of hurt suffered by families and animals.

Anon. UK

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October 29th 2008

Its time to ban the sale of these bombs. They are lethal, and are sold to irresponsible people, responsible people wouldn't buy them anyway.

M.H. Sutton, UK

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October 29th 2008

Although fireworks seemed once lovely to see, to animals they must sound like screams from hell.

K.L. Germany

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October 29th 2008

Please can schools ask children to think about how terrifying it is for our wild animals, and not just our pets.

D.S-M. London, UK

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October 28th 2008

All of my dog walking friends dread this time of year when our dogs live in fear for months. There are several cats nearby who are also terrified, not to mention our local foxes and squirrels.

S.J. London, UK

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November 23rd 2007

A lady across the road from where I keep 3 donkeys had a fireworks display in a school field less than 30 mtrs from the donkeys with out telling me. I could not catch them to get them in. They were running for their lives. I asked the people to stop so I could catch my terrified animals only to be told tough!!!
For one hour they run for into fences gates trying to escape. All i could do was stay with them. The elderly donkey of 30yrs suffered badly. I had to get the vet. He is recovering.
No, it was not children, but adults who think they are pillars of the community who had these very loud fireworks that should only be allowed at organized displays.

M.S. Hertfordshire, UK

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November 12th 2007

In my area there have been fireworks set off constantly for the last 14 days i.e. from 30th October to tonight (12th November 2007). I sedated my dog for the two (what I thought) would be the worst nights - 31st October and Sat 3rd Nov). Little was I to know (as this has been the worst year yet) that it would be a constant feature during the hours of 4.30pm to early hours of the morning every single night.
How can this be legal?
My poor dog is nearly insane, not to mention me and my neighbours because of his barking and stress at every firework. He is a rescue dog so suffers badly from anxiety as he already has a history of being mistreated by completely thoughtless, cruel and selfish individuals who only care that they have the best fireworks in the street (how pathetically sad). How will these individuals or any parent feel when their children get severly injured and mamed for life or even killed when they are allowed easy access to very pretty... EXPLOSIVES!
What are we teaching our children?

L.P, Brighton, UK

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November 7th 2007

(From an animal rescue sanctuary).
Our wonderful next door neighbours had their own private bonfire and fireworks a few days before the 5th, which took us by surprise. They didn’t think it necessary to inform us of their plans, so we could get the sheep and goats in the barn and as many of the feral cats into the cellar as possible. I am missing about 8 feral cats now, but I am hoping they will be OK.

J.E. UK

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November 5th 2007

Use of fireworks is completely out of hand. 'Fireworks Night' is now held on 5+ nights around November 5th. There are so many excessive displays in town areas with no control shown. The distress caused to pets is terrible to witness and I wish tighter controls as suggested were in place.

A.R, Poole, UK

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November 5th 2007

One of my Dogs suffers hours of mental torture and anguish. His and my life are a misery for a full week. I am disgusted that the government sells explosives to the general public, most of them idiots. it really makes me angry.

A.P. UK

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November 5th 2007

An outdated celebration of an historical event that failed, causing distress to animals and people alike. Ban it.

C.W, Lowestoft, UK

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November 5th 2007

I am sat typing this with two magnificent dogs in pieces at my feet. Tranquilisers don't work and only sedation to the point of catatonia would be effective. October to Jan 2nd is hell in our house. Such antisocial behaviour should not be condoned or encouraged.

L.O. Chesterfield, UK

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November 4th 2006

(Regarding Ban the Bang's Statement on Beale Park)

Not surprised you feel bruised by the Beale Park spin on why they cancelled that ill-conceived event. Hopefully there are still enough intelligent people around who will see through their clumsy attempts to dig themselves out of their self-dug publicity hole, and who completely understand the bigger picture.
Sadly nowadays in this blame-culture climate of corporate commercial greed versus common sense it's rare for anyone to put their hands up and say 'don't know what possessed us - you're quite right, we made a mistake'.

R.D, UK

For more information on the Beale Park Fireworks cancellation incident see here

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November 4th 2006

It's now 12.35 at night and the local youths are still detonating their ordnance in the park directly opposite. Huge shells that shake the windows and require one to screw the earplugs in even more firmly.
Yes - tonight is the 4th November, but this racket has been going on in SW8 since early September, and will continue until Christmas.
For reasons that escape us, they even set these enormous fireworks off in broad daylight.
Unfortunately our work keeps us in London or we'd move tomorrow.
Keep up the good work - a total ban on the sale of such absurd noise polluters is to our minds the only answer.!

R.D. London, UK

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November 3rd 2006

Well, it is good news that Beale (animal and wildlife) Park have cancelled the display, but what a way to do it!
It is indefensible that they should suggest we would be violent towards their customers when we only have the animals' welfare at heart.
As you say, they must be watched next year and gently & calmly persuaded not to reintroduce such a foolhardy enterprise.

A. T, UK

For more information on the Beale Park Fireworks cancellation incident see here

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October 30th 2006

There is a hotel just down the road from where I live and they let off loud fireworks at wedding receptions that are held there. My cat ran off during the last display and several of my neighbours have had the same thing happen, including a couple of dogs who jumped off boats that were moored nearby. These stories just go on and on. The trouble is that most of these displays are on private land and people feel powerless to do anything about it without the backing of the law. When I rang my local council about it a few months ago, they said that as long as the firework display was before 11 pm they could do nothing about it!! But I am not one to give up!!!

V.S. Berkshire, UK

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February 3rd 2006

I just wanted to add my support to the campaign. As a pet owner I know the trauma that my animals suffer, despite my best efforts to shield them from the noise & lights from fireworks.
On New Year's eve 1999 the displays around here got so intense (very early in the evening) that my dog ran away whilst we were on our walk. He was missing for hours, and when we eventually got him back he was shaking, whimpering, wouldn't eat or drink for days. How do you explain to an animal that these things are supposed to be fun?
The incident someone mentions about the gerbil being strapped alive to a rocket happened near where my family live in Glasgow, where the fireworks start to go off nightly in October through to New Year (and the shops love it - they don't care who they sell to) - its scary to think that anyone has it in their nature to inflict this kind of cruelty on any living thing. Its sickening to see how many stories appear in the UK press involving animals and! people being maimed and killed by the irresponsible use of fireworks. If people don't have the common sense or consideration for people and animals (domestic, farmed and wild) to use fireworks responsibly, then legislation should be brought in to curb these attrocities.
I've placed my vote, and hope that others see that this proposal is sensible without taking away anyone's opportunity to have fun (responsibly)..

W. B, Scotland

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November 7th 2005

I feel that some inconsiderate and cruel people spoil the fun of what could be an enjoyable quiet tradition. I dread this time of year and fear for my cats' safety.

J.M. Wiltshire, UK

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October 30th 2005

Our dog especially hates and is terrified of fireworks. She has to be drugged every firework night, the problem is fireworks seem to start early in September, you never know when to sedate her. Personally I also hate fireworks I had a nasty experience as a child and have always been frightened of them since. I had a horse at one time who with the other horses in the field were found running through a local village having been frightened by fireworks.

V. F, UK

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1st Jan 2005

What new UK laws?

It's like a world war outside my house tonight. In fact it's not midnight of the 31st now but 3.30 in the morning of the 1st Jan. Has anybody taken notice of the supposed law of 11pm stop time for fireworks?
I notice that your rather excellent website moto is "Tired of dumbing down? ... then evolve!" Well, the dumbing-down continues amongst the British public and there's certainly no sign of them "evolving"!

K.S. London, UK

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