Dog Dies During Fireworks Display at ‘Animal-Friendly’ Baseball Game

Fireworks explosions are more than terrifying for animals—they can be fatal.

A Toledo, Ohio, baseball team has announced that it will no longer host dog-friendly events in conjunction with fireworks shows after a dog named Stella died during a recent display.

The death occurred during the Toledo Mud Hens’ “Paws and Pints” promotional night, which encourages families to bring their companion animals to the ballgame. A fireworks show followed the game at Fifth Third Field. While no official cause of death has been released, dogs have been known to suffer heart attacks during these loud, frightening displays.

Many online commenters have pointed out that the minor league baseball team should have known that fireworks make dogs anxious and even petrified. In a statement, the Toledo Mud Hens admitted that it fell short in hosting a safe, friendly event for all family members. The team also stated that it will be “making a memorial contribution to an animal charity” of the grieving family’s choice.

Whether they’re set off on the Fourth of July, on New Year’s Eve, or at any other raucous celebration, fireworks are terrifying for animals.

Many dogs and cats flee in fear from the deafening blasts. They become confused and panicked, and animal shelters see a spike in the number of admissions after fireworks displays.

Our Animal Companions Depend on Us to Keep Them Safe

Simply keeping animals indoors during fireworks displays may not be enough. It’s important for frightened animals to have their guardians nearby. They may flee their homes when trying to escape the startling and confusing blasts. It’s not uncommon for dogs to break through a window or screen door or to dig under a fence in panic. Prepare your home and animal companions before the event:

• Distract your cats and dogs by giving them lots of love and attention.
• Play some soothing background music or turn on the TV.
• Close the curtains or blinds.
• Make sure that all your animals are wearing collars with current identification tags and that they’re microchipped.

As popular as fireworks displays are, animals don’t understand that the bursts of light and deafening explosions are just for fun. For more ways to keep animals safe, check out our feature below.