Accidents Fireworks Consumer-Animals

Animal Abuse- Case Details
Six puppies killed with fireworks:

Case Report

Six puppies were killed, apparently by fireworks placed in their mouths, shortly after teenage boys were seen carrying Roman candles in a north Tulsa neighborhood. Animal control officers said they were following leads Tuesday but had no suspects in Sunday night's attacks, during which one person told police they heard a puppy yelp.

An older dog, a 4-1/2-month-old black Labrador mix, suffered burns on her muzzle and hindquarters from apparently being used as a moving target for fireworks.

The Tulsa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was caring for the injured dog and for the puppies' mother, a 1-1/2-year-old black-and-tan heeler mix that was not harmed.

The injured dog had begun to eat and was expected to survive, said Laurie Myers, executive director of the Tulsa SPCA.

The SPCA believes the puppies died from fireworks that exploded in their mouths.

A woman found all the dogs Monday among the remains of fireworks inside a vacant house and took the two survivors to the SPCA. When an animal control officer arrived later, the dead puppies were gone.

"Somebody probably went to clean up their mess so they wouldn't get in trouble," Officer Charity Curtis said.

The SPCA has raised about $1,000 and other organizations were undertaking similar efforts to reward people who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, officials said.

Case Updates

Posted: Mar 30, 2005 - 7:48 PM

Police say they admitted setting a dog on fire, but they denied involvement in the alleged firecracker killings of puppies.

Two Tulsa fraud detectives who were acting on a Crime Stoppers tip arrested two teenagers Friday in connection with

an animal cruelty case that horrified the nation.

During questioning, the two allegedly told police that they caught the black Labrador retriever-mix puppy, doused its back with lighter fluid and set it on fire, Sgt. Tony Cellino said. However, they denied having anything to do with the alleged firecracker killings of six other puppies, and investigators have been unable to verify that those killings occurred.

Cellino and Cpl. Chris Stout were near Tulsa International Airport around noon Friday when they received a tip that led to the arrests of the two boys, one 14 and the other 16, Cellino said. Officers began investigating the abuse Monday when a woman brought the 41/2-month-old puppy, suffering from severe burns to her hindquarters, and a second dog to the Tulsa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' office at 2910 Mohawk Boulevard.

She reportedly told animal control investigators that she heard a dog barking and found the Lab puppy in the area of Peoria Avenue and 62nd Street North. At a vacant house across the street, she saw a mother dog, allegedly with six dead puppies, she said.

At least one looked like it had been killed with fireworks, Larry Briggs, the city's Animal Shelter director, said the woman told investigators. However, their bodies have not been found, nor did investigators find any evidence of such a crime at the scene, Briggs said.

Officials said earlier this week that the six puppies had been blown apart by firecrackers. Laurie Mayes, executive director of the Tulsa SPCA, said Monday that the woman told workers that the mother dog "was found sitting with them (the dead puppies) and . . . encouraging them to get up." The two boys "were questioned with regard to the puppies, and they deny any involvement in that particular side of the investigation," Briggs said. "That strengthens our theory that we've actually got two different crimes that are not connected."

Investigators, who interviewed the woman who reported the abuse, do not discount her story about the

puppies, Briggs said.

"We don't have any information to disprove or prove our complainant's story," Briggs said.

But investigators canvassing the neighborhood found the owner of the mother dog, who told them that the dead puppies could not have belonged to her dog, who was not physically harmed in the attacks.

"(The owner) tells us that her dog had 11 pups about a month ago" and that two of her offspring were still at the owner's home, Briggs said. The rest were given away.

Investigators also uncovered a witness who claimed to have seen a dog on fire about 3 a.m. Sunday but not to have seen who did it, Briggs said.

Authorities are still investigating the abuse, he said.

"Credit goes to Tony Cellino and Chris Stout for followup on the Crime Stoppers tip this afternoon," Briggs said.

The two detectives, who normally investigate forgery and fraud-related crimes, tracked the teenagers to their homes. They brought the juveniles to the Detective Division for questioning downtown with their mothers, Cellino said.

The two juveniles each were jailed on one felony complaint of animal cruelty. They will remain in custody until a hearing, Cellino said.

Information from the Crime Stoppers tip and help from an anonymous business owner led him and Stout to the teenagers, the sergeant said.

Animals and Fireworks
2002

-- She lost part of her intestine when vicious thugs tied fireworks to her.

-- Aberdeen mum is calling for tighter controls on the sale of fireworks after a pet dog was scared to death.

-- Yobs shoved a firework down a duck's throat.

-- Dog is killed by firework thugs.    The taunting teenagers made the terrier believe it was a stick they were throwing.

-- Two dogs are on tranquillisers thanks to selfish youngsters who have been letting off fireworks. Soham

-- Firework thugs attack sick dogs.    Two German Shepherds were badly injured when youths hurled the fireworks.

-- Youths had caught a cat and taken a rabbit and had strapped fireworks to the backs of the terrified animals.

-- One of her animals was injured after being frightened by fireworks.

-- A one-year-old Japanese Akita dog was killed in Shirebrook after it was terrified by a firework.

-- A cat suffered severe burns when it was hit by a lighted firework.

-- A man was attacked by his own dog after it was startled by children letting off fireworks.

-- A kitten is recovering after a firework was taped to his back and ignited.

-- A massive fireworks display is believed to have frightened a kitten to death.

-- Pet rabbit nearly died after a firework was thrown in her garden,

-- Scared dog is killed by car. The frightened animal had rushed into the road to escape the sound of fireworks.

-- Valuable cow dies after firework panic.     One of his prized cows died during a corporate firework display.

-- Pet suffers brain damage in attack.    She was frightened by a firework.

-- Fireworks Fright 'Killed' Horse.   The mare was frightened by the flares and bangs.

-- Fireworks Are Blamed For Dog's Death.     Mavis, ran off in terror after hearing a firework blast.

-- Pet dog is hounded by fireworks.     Dog was injured when a banger exploded in her back garden.

-- Pet dog jumps from first floor.     There were loads of fireworks being set off and he is terrified of them.

-- Last week a firework hit my friend's dog and it had to be put down because of all the scars all over it's face.

-- A dog died when it was taunted for weeks with fireworks by a group of kids.

Wishaw -- North Lanarkshire
Puppy dies after firework tied to tail

2003--A puppy has died after a firework was tied to its tail and lit.

The 11-month-old boxer was taken to a vet shortly after the incident in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, but died of severe burns and shock.

The incident has left the dog's owners distraught, the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.

The Society was alerted after a neighbour heard children letting off fireworks and moments later heard the dog's cries.

The dog had escaped from its owner's garden.

A SSPCA spokeswoman said: "It was extremely cruel and totally abhorrent. I do not know how anyone could do that to a dog.

"No animal should be abused in this way for human entertainment and it just shows the need for the control of fireworks."

The spokeswoman, who said no-one had witnessed the attack, described the moments leading up to the incident.

"There was some children playing with fireworks in the Wishaw area. Some minutes later someone living nearby heard a dog in distress. They rushed out to find the dog severely burned and in shock.

"They called the Scottish SPCA inspector who went to the scene and rushed the dog to the vet. Unfortunately the dog died from shock and severe burns."

Keep pets safe from fireworks

2004 -- They may be the highlight of New Year's Eve celebrations for most Maitland residents, but for the four-legged members of the community, fireworks are often a source of fear.

Elermore Vale RSPCA manager Eliza Walker said the festive season was no party for pets terrified by the unexpected loud bangs of fireworks displays.

"Last year we had 100 dogs handed into the shelter (from around the Hunter region) in the four days following New Year's Eve," she said.

"Their hearing is super sensitive - they hear much louder than we do so when they hear the fireworks they think it is in their backyard and try to out run them."

This flight response can lead to terrible tales of animals injured and killed as they try to escape.

"I've met dogs who have chewed through colourbond fences, chewed through wooden doors and jumped through plate glass windows to try and get away," Ms Walker said.

"And every year animals are hit and killed by cars as in their blind panic to escape the noise they run like a bat out of hell and get skittled."

While about two-thirds of animals handed into shelters are reclaimed, those that aren't face an uncertain future.

"At this time of year we're already dealing with a lot of unwanted litters and Christmas gifts so we're packed to the rafters," Ms Walker said.

"Unfortunately, if the pets aren't reclaimed and can't be re-homed, they will end up being euthanased."

Ms Walker said Maitland dog owners should make sure their pets are locked in a secure place, especially if the owners will not be home on New Year's Eve.

"Pets should be kept inside in a secure place where they can't hurt themselves or their surroundings and there should be plenty of water available," she said.

"Don't leave dogs tied up outside because in their panic they are likely to try and jump a fence and hang themselves or just break the chain and escape."

She also advised Maitland dog owners to ensure the details on their pet's microchip were up-to-date or they wear an identification tag.

Dog is killed by firework thugs

-- The taunting teenagers made the terrier believe it was a stick they were throwing. The family pet chased the large display firework and picked it up before it exploded in her mouth. Today as police hunted the thugs, it was revealed they had been taunting the dog, called Megan, for weeks with fireworks. The bull terrier was the pet of six children who went to school today devastated by her death. Their mum said: "The kids are absolutely devastated. We've had Megan eight years, since she was a pup. I have told the kids that Megan has gone to doggie heaven. "I just hope the police can get these people before a small child becomes the next victim.'' The girl said that on Wednesday night a gang of teenagers had called at her house asking if they could take her dog Megan out to play. She refused because she knew the youths had been taunting half-English bull terrier Megan for weeks with fireworks. But on Thursday night eight-year-old Megan managed to get out of the house and the thugs began teasing the animal again with lighted fireworks. She picked up a particularly large one. Police Chief Inspector said: "Three youths were seen taunting Megan. They were throwing fireworks at the dog and one of the youths threw a particularly large one which the animal then picked up and it exploded. "The youths then ran off. We need to bear in mind that this could have been a small child and the consequences would have been horrendous.'' Two dogs and a lamb died as a direct result of firework attacks during the year and there were even attacks on church halls and an old folk's home. Officially, fireworks were supposed to be on sale only from October 15 to November 8, but only the months of March, April and June had no reports of firework attacks. There were 95 incidents of fireworks being used as a weapon and the victims included three cats and six dogs, including a guide dog, two horses and a lamb. And there was one case of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier so afraid of the noise of fireworks that it seriously injured itself in terror. Every year the RSPCA deals with hundreds of incidents in relation to animals injured by fireworks, not just physically but also psychologically.

Horse killed in firework scare

-- A stallion being groomed for stardom was killed after being spooked by fireworks. Two-year-old Champagne broke his leg when he took off in fright at the sound of explosions near his farm in Pyecombe late on Saturday night. He was with a group of 20 young horses in a field who smashed their way through a fence and into a second field which contained another 20. Champagne was injured in the stampede, breaking his leg in two places. The horse, which was expected to rise high in showjumping circles, had to be destroyed the next day. A young female horse also had her shoulder smashed. Her owners were last night waiting to see if the three-year-old would survive. "Champagne was robbed of his life way too early. It is heartbreaking. He had a superb pedigree and could well have gone on to become a star." Champagne was not found until Sunday morning, by which time he had been struggling to stand all night and was in a lot of pain. He had two breaks in his thigh. "His leg was twitching uncontrollably and he was in agony. It was so bad some members of staff were sick when they saw him." It was lucky the 40 horses did not carry on their stampede through the next fence or they would have hit the A23. : "It's not just November 5 any more, it's the weekends before and after the date as well. My family and staff are very worried about fireworks causing more injuries or death before the week is out. "Many people are not aware how frightened animals get from the loud bangs and flashing lights." Champagne's father won the Foxhunter Championship at the Horse of the Year Show this year so there were high hopes for his son. "It's heartbreaking when something like this happens when you've spent years nurturing a horse and training them. "We enjoy living in the countryside, as I'm sure most villagers do, but people need to be aware animals also live there. "Perhaps they would be better off at an organised firework party in town which has been advertised so people with animals are forewarned."

Fireworks driving dogs to drugs.

-- On fireworks nights, when the noise rocks her home, a woman has some Valium on hand. The medication, though, is not for her -- it's for her 12-year-old poodle ``who just goes bananas from the fireworks.'' Veterinarians in the West End say pet owners during the two weeks of fireworks ask for prescriptions or advice on what to do when the intense noise echoes out of English Bay and drives their animals crazy. Last year, an actor and acting coach, kept her pooch in the house and heavily medicated because ``he was completely uncontrollable.' But now he's off drugs, after she found a new therapy to help him cope with the noise. Instead of keeping him inside, she puts him on a leash and walks him when the fireworks begin. ``I'm assuming simply by him being in a small place it was amplifying the noise,'' she said. ``He went through agony.'' So far this year, the poodle hasn't needed Valium. Veterinarian at the Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic in Kitsilano said dogs are most affected by the noise.
``I know it sounds funny but there are dogs who have these phobias. '' It is the noise and vibrations, similar to what happens in a thunderstorm.'' She has some ugly stories about crazed critters. ``They become anxious, they pace, their eyes look completely freaked out, some chew down a door, tear up the house and go through plate glass windows and injure themselves -- it's terrible.'' She's reluctant to put a cat on drugs: ``They usually just hide. We get phone calls from people who want tranquillizers after the fireworks but it doesn't help. It's too late.''

Guilty of killing 19 horses

-- In the early morning hours a man and two friends were drinking at a friend’s home, across the street from the Hunt Club barn. One of the friends testified that he and the others watched as the man shot fireworks into the air. A short time later, while they were sitting around the kitchen table, someone in the group suggested scaring the horses with a firecracker.    The group walked across the street and the man lit and tossed a firecracker into the barn. Minutes later, the barn burst into flames, but no one called the fire department. Instead, they told police they were all asleep.   The man was found guilty of 19 counts of willfully and maliciously killing the horses.

Tears And Justice

-- A trial that began with tears ended the same way, with a suburban Detroit man found guilty in mid-March of killing 19 horses when he threw a lit firecracker into a Hunt Club (Mich.).   Owners of the dead horses and those who work at the hunt club cried when the guilty verdict was read. Although they were disappointed that the manl, 24, was found not guilty of arson, they were pleased the jury said he was guilty of 19 counts of willfully and maliciously killing the horses.   He faces up to four years in prison for each count and a $5,000 fine. Sentencing guidelines, however, indicate that he will likely serve less than three years. Many of the horse owners were expected to speak at his sentencing hearing.

In the early morning hours of July 8, 2001, he and two friends were drinking at a friend’s home, across the street from the Hunt Club barn. One of the friends testified that he and the others watched as the man shot fireworks into the air. A short time later, while they were sitting around the kitchen table, someone in the group suggested scaring the horses with a firecracker.    The group walked across the street and the man lit and tossed a firecracker into the barn. Minutes later, the barn burst into flames, but no one called the fire department. Instead, they told police they were all asleep.   The man, the friend who hosted the party, and his parents have been sued by the club and its insurance carrier for $1.25 million.

The wooden barn at the 91-year-old club was a fixture in the community, bringing a little country feel to the suburban setting. Many neighbors, while walking or bicycling, would stop to say hello to the horses as they poked their heads out their barn windows or watch the horses exercise in the adjacent field.     Plans are nearly complete for a new barn, but this one will be placed well away from the street.

Fireworks can scare pets

-- While people gather to "ooh" and "aah" at Independence Day fireworks, animals run and hide to escape them.

The Humane Society of the United States cautions that during fireworks displays animals, especially dogs, may become frightened.

The society urges pet owners to take a few precautions: Do not take a pet to fireworks displays.

Do not leave a pet in the car. A pet can die in a few minutes from heat stroke.

Keep pets at home, inside, in a sheltered, quiet area.

Never leave pets outside and unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain, while fireworks are being shot.

Make sure pets have identification tags, so they can be returned if they are lost.

If leaving town for the holiday, entrust the care and feeding of pets to an adult friend or a boarding kennel you have visited before hand.

William Fortney, Kansas State University veterinary medicine professor, said there are two types of fear. There are dogs that quiver at their owner`s feet, and there are dogs that experience extreme fear and react with bizarre behaviors.

He said dogs need to be distracted, not coddled. He suggests taking the dog for a walk or playing ball.

If a dog displays signs of extreme fear, Fortney suggests discussing tranquilizers with a veterinarian.

Woman's second firework tragedy

-- A woman lost her sight due to a Bonfire Night accident. Now fireworks have ruined her "replacement eyes''. So it is no surprise that the woman, from Wythenshawe, wants the M.E.N. to succeed in its campaign to ban over-the-counter sales of fireworks. The woman, 42, was just nine when she lost her sight after falling from a friend's shoulders at a fireworks display in 1968. The build-up of fluid to the brain harmed her optic nerve, preventing her seeing properly. Since then, she has had four guide dogs. But her current dog, is to be retired prematurely because noisy fireworks have made her a nervous wreck. For five years, her seven-year-old dog has been her eyes as she travelled from her home. But this year's barrage of extra-loud fireworks has made her dog too traumatised to continue working. Even a prescription of the tranquilliser diazepam failed to calm her nerves. The woman, a disability adviser, is having to manage without a guide dog until she is found a replacement. She said: "The dog has never been very good with fireworks, but every year she has become worse. "This year, in the build-up to Bonfire Night, she just wouldn't go out of the house. She could not work. She just wanted to lie in the corner. She went out for a proper walk last weekend for the first time since Bonfire Night. "She's not the dog she was, and fireworks are to blame for that. I hope the M.E.N. can end the misery fireworks cause so many people.''

Nightmare for cats

The fireworks season can be a nightmare for cats, according to leading feline welfare charity, Cats Protection. The charity receives hundreds of calls each year from owners whose pets are suffering the ill effects of the fireworks season and staff and volunteers still see too many incidences of needlessly injured cats. But a few sensible precautions can help to lessen the trauma.

The new Firework's Act that came into force in August of this year is a small step in the right direction, according to Dominic Sullivan, Cats Protection's Head of Legal Services. "We're pleased the issue has at last been taken seriously. However, there is still a long way to go before government legislation can protect cats from all the dangers of the fireworks season."

New rules stipulate a ban on air bombs and a partial ban on other types of rockets, as well as the minimum age for purchasing fireworks rising from 16 to 18. Noise levels of all fireworks cannot exceed 120 decibels, with noisy fireworks (113-120 decibels) being limited to larger, more expensive firework packs.

Cats Protection advises cat owners to take the following precautions during fireworks season:

- Keep your cat in after dark and provide him or her with a litter tray if s/he is used to having garden access.

- Try to reduce outside noise by keeping windows shut and curtains drawn. Playing soothing music or having the TV on may also help.

- In order to feel secure, cats need to be settled in cosy, familiar territory such as a comfy bed or favourite chair.

- Cats that are known to be skittish, sensitive or new to a home, will be particularly vulnerable to firework noise and could panic and run away. Make sure doors and windows are securely fastened.

Other general precautions to ensure animal safety include:

- Buying hand-held cascading fireworks rather than the noise-making varieties.

- Keeping fireworks and bonfires as far away from homes as possible, to minimise any adverse effects on animals indoors. This does not mean that other wild animals will not be affected.

- Check bonfires before lighting them to ensure that no small animals are sleeping inside.

Jim Toy, Cats Protection's Veterinary Surgeon, says cats are very vulnerable at this time of year: "Apart from the obvious physical damage by accidental or malicious contact with them, cats can be badly affected by fireworks noise and lights. Possible behavioural problems as a result of trauma could include house soiling and excessive grooming or aggression."

Cats Protection's national telephone Helpline (tel: +44(0)8702-099-099) can provide general advice concerning keeping felines safe and happy during the fireworks season.

Terrified pets flee fireworks

2004 -- Hundreds of frantic dog owners spent yesterday searching for their hounds after they bolted in fear from the noise of New Year's Eve fireworks.

Frightened animals even broke through glass doors and windows to escape the noise.

Animals shelters had fewer dogs in their custody yesterday than in previous years, but reported hundreds of owners ringing them to report lost dogs.

Welfare authorities welcomed the drop in dogs in their care, but more than 100 dogs spent the first day of the year in welfare centre kennels across the state.

The Lost Dogs Home had more than 60 in its North Melbourne shelter yesterday, about half from the city of Wyndham in Melbourne's west where fireworks exploded non-stop for more than an hour.

At the same time last year they had 89.

Another 10 dogs were at the Lost Dogs Home Frankston pound, compared to 20 last year.

"We have got to stop illegal fireworks and stop fireworks being sold out of Canberra," Lost Dogs Home chief executive Dr Graeme Smith said.

The RSPCA collected about 30 dogs that had bolted from yards in terror of the fireworks.

But more than 200 people rang the shelter to report pets missing.

"We had people on our doorstep from 8am looking for their animals," said RSPCA spokesman Ray Lord.

A handful of the callers reporting lost dogs had locked their animals inside thinking they would be safe, but the panicked pooches broke glass windows and doors to escape.

"It just shows how traumatised and terrified dogs can get," Mr Lord said.

Council rangers also had one of their busiest nights of the year.

At just one outer-suburban council, 45 dogs were picked up and more than 100 calls about lost dogs and cats were received within hours.

Of the 45 dogs in the Shire of Yarra Ranges picked up overnight, half were reunited with their owners, while 19 without identification were impounded waiting for their owners to collect them.

Ranger Richard Watson, said it would be busy for more than a day as pet owners return from parties and trips to discover their pets missing.

The next busy period for council rangers and animal shelters will be Australia Day with celebrations and fireworks expected to scare animals again.

Pony 'critical' after farm attack

2004 -- Other horses at the farm have also been targeted A pony is in a critical condition in a specialist equine hospital after youths set off fireworks close to the community farm where she was kept. It is the latest in a series of malicious attacks on Home Farm near Markeaton, Derbyshire, which hosts school visits from Derby.

Cheyenne, a four-year-old mare was injured when the ponies bolted.

The bill for her treatment is set to reach �3,500, and it may force the farm to close.

Vandal attack

Farmer Richard Wilson said: "We had to rush her down to the equine centre at Newmarket where they operated almost straight away to cut her leg open and flush out all the infection."

Previous attacks on the animals at the farm at Markeaton, have included an arson attack in September.

Alice, another pony at the farm has also been targeted in a previous incident, when a pellet was fired into her skull by youths.

Mr Watson and Amy Green, the farm education officer are now calling for firework laws to be tightened.

Mr Watson said: "Somebody has let a firework off in the wood at the side of the field and frightened the living daylights out of them.

"They're letting them off every night for weeks on end before bonfire night and after and they're not just little bangs they're mighty big explosions.

Owners plead
after injury to horse

2004 -- HORSE-owners from Ramsey St Mary are appealing for firework party organisers to think more carefully about the scale of their displays, after their animal was injured on Guy Fawkes Night.

Mark and Dawn Skinns thought they were fully prepared for bonfire night and were even out in the paddock with their animals to ensure their safety, but could not prevent one horse being hit by a stray firework.

Two of the couple's ponies and one horse were shut away in stables, but there was no space for their fourth animal - a 25-year-old horse called Melody. Mr Skinns claims that one of the fireworks from a display at the nearby pub, The Lion, struck the horse on the back as it dropped down to the ground.

"We hadn't been informed about the display directly by the pub, but in the past Melody has not been particularly fased by fireworks," said Mr Skinns. "We were in the field about 50 yards away from the display, when we heard a big bang and something came down and landed on her. She really freaked out and in the process she injured her foot.

He said: "In my opinion the problem was that the display seemed totally out of proportion to the space available. The pub is surrounded by houses on three sides and you'd usually expect such a display in the middle of huge fields."

Since the incident the horse has been administered antibiotics to treat the injured hoof and a vet is due to carry out an examination again today (Wednesday).

Looking ahead to next year, Mr Skinns said he would consider having all his animals sedated for November 5.

The landlord of the pub, Marcel Ellul, told The Hunts Post that the firework in question did not come from his display and that the horse owners should have ensured it was in a stable.

Firework-fright
dog dies in road accident

2004 -- A PET owner whose dog was killed in a road accident after being frightened by the noise of fireworks is calling for a change in the law.

Four-year-old greyhound Cassie was knocked down just moments after bolting from Jade Taylor’s car at 8.30pm last Friday and later died from her injuries.

Miss Taylor (20), of Collins Meadow, Harlow, was getting out of the vehicle in Rundells when she heard fireworks go off nearby. Cassie, who was still inside, was terrorised by the noise and began to frantically scramble around.

Her owner got in and tried to hold her by her collar but she escaped and ran off along Commonside Road.

Miss Taylor rang her mother for help and the pair finally found the seriously injured dog being comforted by the driver of the car near The Chequers pub.

Cassie was taken to JAC Kew Vets, in Wych Elm, where Miss Taylor works but after three hours spent treating her injuries, which included two broken legs, staff took the decision to put her down.

The dog’s death has now spurred Miss Taylor and her colleagues to call for changes to the law to restrict the sale of fireworks to over-21s and ban their use for private displays.

They have started a petition for pet owners visiting the surgery, which will be passed on to Harlow MP Bill Rammell, urging him to lobby for change.

“Without a single bit of doubt, Cassie would still be here if those fireworks hadn’t gone off,” said Miss Taylor.

“I want to make people aware of how dangerous fireworks are and how much damage they cause. Our petition is not just to help animals but also for people, especially the elderly, who are frightened by the noises as well.

“I think the age you’re allowed to buy them should go up. I don’t think 18-year-olds should be able to get them – it should be over-21s or even 25s.”

Miss Taylor adopted Cassie from The Wellhouse Kennels, near Ware, in February. She also owns a lurcher, which was in the car at the time but was unaffected by the noise.

“She was the best greyhound you could ever hope for,” added Miss Taylor.

“I have heard fireworks going off all week; I can’t understand why they go on for so long before Bonfire Night.

“If they had waited until Bonfire Night, I really think Cassie would still be here.”

Mr Rammell told the Star he was happy to accept the petition and meet with Miss Taylor to discuss her concerns, but said the Government had already made headway in restricting irresponsible use of fireworks through new legislation.

“We have significantly tightened up the sale and use of fireworks this year,” he said. “Whether we should go for a complete ban, I’m not entirely convinced.

“We need to see what impact this year’s changes have had and there’ll be reports on that in the next month or so.”

Dogs flee fireworks

2005 -- BIG dogs look tough, but the sharp crack of fireworks was enough to freak this big girl.

The malamut was found roaming Melbourne's western suburbs on New Year's Day after escaping from her back yard in terror during the previous night's festivities. She was one of hundreds of dogs -- most wearing no form of identification -- who ended up at Melbourne's animal shelters over the new year break.

The Lost Dogs Home in North Melbourne received 102 dogs from Friday to Monday, and 75 at the Pearcedale shelter, which covers four outer-Melbourne council areas. More than 50 were taken in to care on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day alone.

At the RSPCA, busy staff received 112 animals over the three days from December 31 to January 2.

Just four animals were microchipped and 44 had other identification on their collars.

Of the 700 animals the shelter received from December 13 to January 2, just 69 -- less than 10 per cent -- had any form of identification.

RSPCA shelter manager Andrew Foran said about half of the animals had been reclaimed late yesterday. January 1 is traditionally the busiest day of the year at the East Burwood shelter as frantic owners return from celebrating the new year to find their pets missing.

Mr Foran said there had been fewer animals injured this year as they escaped from yards in fear of the fireworks.

Lost Dogs Home chief executive Dr Graeme Smith said the female malamut had a microchip, but her owners must have moved house and not updated their details -- contact numbers were disconnected.

Dr Smith said animals that came in to the North Melbourne shelter with identification were quickly reunited with their owners.

"Quite a few of them had identification. For those who had identification we were able to contact owners and in a lot of cases we didn't even impound them," Dr Smith said.

He said most dogs who came in over the new year period would be reclaimed by owners.

"We know from previous New Year's Eves that most of these animals we have got in are firecracker or storm affected, not dumped, and they will be claimed as soon as owners can possibly do it." ++