PETA Blasts Warning: Fireworks Can Scare Animals to Death in Baltimore

For Immediate Release:
June 28, 2021

Contact:
Nicole Meyer 202-483-7382

As the Fourth of July approaches and revelers plan to watch fireworks light up the sky, PETA is asking everyone to ditch the noisy pyrotechnics—which cause many dogs and cats to flee in panic—and follow its tips to keep animals safe.

Every Independence Day (and any time fireworks go off), animal shelters see a spike in lost animals who have fled the noise, and some are run over or killed in other ways—and Baltimore residents reported a surge in illegal fireworks last summer for weeks leading up to the Fourth. One Pigtown resident noted that there were 17 consecutive nights on which fireworks were exploding into the wee hours, causing her terrified elderly dog to hide in the basement.

People can help protect animals by taking the following precautions:

• Keep cats and dogs indoors. Never leave animals tethered or chained outside—they can hang themselves if they leap over a fence while trying to run from the noise. Animals can also injure themselves while trying to climb out of pens.
• Never take animals with you to watch fireworks displays! If you know in advance that there will be fireworks in your area, stay home with your animals and try to keep them calm.
• Close your windows and curtains. To help drown out the sounds, turn on fans and air-conditioning units as well as the TV or a radio that’s tuned to a classical music station.
• Purchase a ThunderShirt, which can help your dog or cat cope with the stress of the fireworks. Other ways to keep animals calm include playing specially designed music from iCalmPet and giving them melatonin, a natural supplement available at your local health-food store. (Consult your veterinarian first.)
• Make sure that your animal companion is microchipped and wearing a collar or a harness with an up-to-date identification tag, just in case.
• If it’s cool enough outside, take dogs for a long walk or a romp in the dog park before fireworks start, to help tire them out.
• If you witness someone setting off illegal fireworks, call authorities right away.

“To animals, fireworks really do sound like ‘bombs bursting in air,’” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA encourages everyone to dance, cheer, and celebrate however they see fit—so long as the festivities leave animals in peace.”

Animals aren’t the only ones affected, either: Veterans and others suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder can be deeply disturbed by fireworks. By sharing PETA’s tips, you can help make this a safer holiday for everyone.