Should Fireworks Be Limited to Organised Displays Only?

Every year, for weeks on end, terrified pets and wildlife suffer as fireworks light up our skies — and it’s sparking fresh calls for change.

For a period that stretches far beyond Bonfire Night itself, fireworks explode across Havering’s residential streets — often for up to two weeks, not just one night. The loud bangs echo through neighbourhoods, leaving countless animals trembling in fear.

“For anyone who sits with their pet as they shake in a corner in fear of the loud explosions outside, it really is time to make them in organised displays only,” say local residents, echoing the growing public sentiment that private fireworks should be restricted.

While noiseless fireworks are available, many still choose the traditional kind — the ones that produce ear-splitting bangs and flashes that can cause panic and even injury among animals.

The RSPCA reports that “thousands of animals suffer every year due to fireworks” — often resulting in stress, injury and even death. The PDSA adds that around 40 percent of UK dog owners (that’s an estimated 3.6 million dogs) say their pets are afraid of fireworks, while 64 percent of cat owners notice clear signs of fear or distress.

And it’s not just domestic pets. Between 2010 and 2024, there were 1,468 reported incidents involving horses and fireworks across the UK — including 49 horse fatalities and 317 horse injuries, according to the British Horse Society.

These figures don’t even account for the untold number of wildlife casualties or the pets that bolt from gardens and go missing every year — with the Kennel Club revealing that dogs going missing during fireworks season has risen by 81%.

It raises the question: why are fireworks still being sold for back-garden use at all?

Many Havering residents believe it’s time for action — calling for fireworks to be restricted to large, licensed displays only, where safety and consideration for animals can be properly managed.

“Our animals are suffering horrendously every year,” one local resident said. “Fireworks go off for days, and the noise is unbearable. This is no longer just a one-night tradition — it’s a fortnight of fear for our pets.”

The message from the community is clear: fireworks should be about celebration, not suffering.

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