Animal owners call for more firework restrictions

Animal owners in Guernsey are calling for more restrictions around firework displays.

Displays were held across the island in early November to mark Budloe, bonfire or Guy Fawkes night, but some people said the unpredictability of private displays meant they were unable to prepare.

Denise Fallaize said a burn mark believed to be caused by rocket remnants was found on one of her sheep's fleece, while another animal owner, Sara Clarke, said the event was "absolutely horrendous" for her dog.

Ben Hunter, who organised St Martin's AC football club display, said the events were a "financial boost" and a time for community to come together. The BBC has approached the States of Guernsey for comment.

As part of the States' fireworks etiquette, it asks organisers to register any displays on its website and islanders can subscribe for notifications of events, but the system is voluntary and organisers to not have to register.

Fallaize said when her husband went to check on their flock on Friday he noticed singeing on the back of one of their sheep, named Lucky.

"The only explanation we can think of is that the remnants of a firework rocket had landed on her back and actually slowly singed her fleece," she said.

"Fortunately, not through to her skin. But even so, it could have been, I'm sure, a frightening experience for her."

She said another of their animals, a young ram called Napoleon, had bolted through an electric fence and became stuck in brambles and needed to be cut out.

"We just imagine there were fireworks in the area and he became distressed and did what sheep do which is to bolt without thinking about it," Fallaize said.

She said they currently had a number of ewes they hoped were pregnant and they were concerned as "stress can lead them to abort at this early stage".

Fallaize suggested restrictions to reduce the number of displays and allowing them on one day.

Clarke is the owner of two dogs - Bella and Tinkerbell - with the latter being "very reactive" to loud noises.

"She gets upset, she runs around barking, panting, she can't sleep, she doesn't eat," she said. "It's just horrifying watching her."

She said firework remnants had landed in both her front and back gardens, adding there had been "so many unregistered displays".

"There was several that were going off near to my house, the noise of them, the proximity, the fact that you're not expecting them means you can't prepare your dogs for them," she said.

"It takes days for these dogs to actually settle properly.

"I just feel that private displays need far more legislation around them."

Clarke said she would prefer displays to be limited to professionally organised public displays on certain days.

Hunter said the public display on 7 November was a way for the football club to raise money and bring the local community together.

He said it was an important fundraiser for lots of groups in the islands but added: "We can't do them all on the same night."

"I understand that we shouldn't be letting off fireworks for seven days," Hunter said.

He said he understood the importance of registering a display, but did not want to see too many limitations on events.

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