Lucy Gell, a dog owner from New Mills in Derbyshire, recently had to make the heartbreaking decision to put down her beloved Whippet, Betsy, after she suffered a stroke believed to have been caused by fireworks. Betsy, who was 11 years old and previously healthy, had a severe reaction to the fireworks that ultimately led to her untimely death.
According to Ms. Gell, Betsy’s reaction to fireworks had been worsening over time, and on the fateful night, she experienced distress and lost the use of one of her back legs. Despite rushing her to an emergency vet in Macclesfield, it was determined that the stroke had cut off the blood supply to her leg, resulting in the loss of both legs and the difficult decision to put her to sleep.
Ms. Gell emphasized the need for people to consider the impact of unorganized fireworks displays on not only pets like Betsy but also on wildlife and individuals with PTSD. She highlighted the fact that animals have heightened senses and can be significantly affected by the loud noises and bright lights of fireworks.
The RSPCA has been advocating for changes to firework regulations to address the stress and anxiety they cause to both animals and their owners. Carrie Stones, an RSPCA campaign manager, explained that many pets suffer during firework season, with reports of dogs shaking, panting, and trying to hide, as well as horses becoming distressed and agitated.
The charity is pushing for laws that would introduce alternative forms of celebration, such as light shows and drone displays, as well as limiting the noise level of fireworks to 90 decibels. These measures aim to reduce the negative impact of fireworks on animals and create a safer and more peaceful environment for pets and their owners.
In light of Betsy’s tragic fate, Ms. Gell hopes that her story will raise awareness about the dangers of uncontrolled fireworks and the importance of considering the well-being of animals and individuals with sensitivities during celebrations. She urges people to be more mindful and responsible when using fireworks to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
