Dogs go missing during displays
Panicked canines run off due to fireworks
A spate of panicked dogs went missing throughout the region on Bonfire Night as a result of anxiety-inducing fireworks displays.
Dog Friendly Perthshire’s Katie McCandlessThomas revealed that one pooch narrowly avoided being hit by a car and two more went missing overnight as a result of booming pyrotechnics throughout the region.
Katie was reached out to by a number of fraught owners to help them find their beloved pets and luckily all the missing dogs she was contacted about are now home safe.
However, Katie told the PA it has been a “horrendous night for pet owners” and fears some petrified pooches could still be missing.
She said: “It was just non-stop on Tuesday for missing pets and the last dog I was helping after getting spooked by fireworks was only found about an hour ago [1.30pm Wednesday] after going missing at 8pm on Bonfire Night.
“Another dog was nearly hit by a car after getting spooked too.
“In Perthshire alone, I was notified of eight dogs being sighted running scared linked to fireworks, two of which were missing overnight after being spooked early evening by them.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there was more that I wasn’t made aware of.
“All the ones from Tuesday I was contacted about are now home safe thankfully but it was a horrendous night for pet owners, not just for the ones that went missing.”
Katie revealed she had also been contacted by cat and horse owners saying their pets had been terrified by fireworks, panting, shaking and pacing back and forth due to the loud crackling noises.
“I completely understand many people enjoy Bonfire Night and at least with the large displays you get a warning about them happening,” she added.
“Each year I compile a list of them to try and warn pet owners so they can prepare.
“It’s people letting them off in their own garden or local parks which can cause the most issues.
“On Tuesday around 5pm, while dog owners were trying to walk their dog early evening before the big display, someone was letting fireworks off on the North Inch which caught many dog owners off guard.
“With fireworks being on sale to the general public, it’s not just one night of fireworks on November 5, they can last for a two-week period which can be an extremely stressful time for owners and their pets.”
Katie added: “If people are going to do displays at home, it would be welcomed if they gave their neighbours plenty of warning so anyone with nervous pets can prepare.
“It would be good if the organisers of the large firework displays in Perthshire would consider low noise fireworks for future displays.
“I’ve lost count of how many dogs I’ve seen go missing due to being scared by fireworks and it’s heartbreaking to see.”
It was a horrendous night for pet owners, not just for the ones that went missing