Council urged to take action on fireworks to reduce stress for pets
Lib Dem councillors in Sunderland are asking the Council to approve a plan to reduce stress for pets and their owners from fireworks.
Liberal Democrat councillors Martin Haswell (Pallion and Ford Estate) and Heather Fagan (Doxford and Tunstall) are asking Sunderland Council to approve a plan to tackle nuisance noise from fireworks in future years.
The opposition councillors say they have been inundated with complaints from residents whose pets have suffering for days and weeks in the face of fireworks being let off across the city.
City Lib Dems are now putting forward a fireworks plan for Sunderland, including:
- A public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people
- A responsible retailer scheme to make sure anyone buying fireworks in the city can easily identify and choose between loud and quieter fireworks, with information given out about safety and responsible use.
- Hosting inclusive displays using silent fireworks to encourage those who would otherwise find loud fireworks a barrier to attending
- Better advertising organised fireworks displays to allow residents living nearby to prepare
The plan will now be discussed and voted on by all 75 city councillors at a meeting on 18th November.
Commenting, Pallion and Ford Estate councillor Martin Haswell said:
"There may not be any organised events for Guy Fawkes Day this year due to COVID, but people all over the city have been up in arms at fireworks being set off at all times of day and night over the past few weeks in the run up to 5th November.
"Sadly, a small number of irresponsible people are constantly setting off fireworks and making our pets suffer unnecessarily for weeks. We know there's not a huge amount the Council can do to stop them, but we'd like them to do everything in their power.
"That's why we are following guidance from organisations like the RSPCA and asking for an awareness campaign, better choices and information for anyone buying fireworks in the city, and a range of organised displays in the future including the use of silent fireworks to make sure as many people as possible feel comfortable attending."