A local vet and pet owner is calling for Queenstown’s council to better regulate fireworks due to the stress they create for animals.
Remarkables Vets’ Dr Orla Fitzpatrick, who owns an 11-year-old dog with a severe noise phobia, says she sees the effects first hand at work and home.
Fitzpatrick, who lives in Shotover Country, says the impacts are both physical and psychological on pets, livestock and wildlife, and can include weight loss and heart issues in response to stress.
She’s also concerned about pets being frightened, escaping their homes and being hit by vehicles.
Some animals can be medicated to help, she says, but meds need to be given two hours in advance — that’s tough to do when owners don’t know when fireworks are being set off privately.
The vet’s asking for ‘‘a bit of consideration’’ from the public to give warning to neighbours and some regulation from Queenstown’s council.
‘‘In previous years, there would just be one night of fireworks for Guy Fawkes and New Year’s … now it goes on for a week before and weeks after,’’ she says.
‘‘When you see your pet that stressed, it’s hard to watch.’’
She advises worried pet owners to play music in the house and to shut windows and doors, but that still relies on knowing when fireworks are going to be let off.
Fitzpatrick realises it’s unrealistic to impose a nationwide ban, but believes more needs to be done, suggesting set days during the year when fireworks can be let off, and better accessibility to the public displays.
Queenstown council media man Sam White says public transport in the resort provides ‘‘easy access’’ to the district council-organised New Year fireworks, for example, and while there’s no bylaw relating to fireworks, they sympathise with pet owners.
Their animal control team suggests closing curtains and ensuring animals have a safe place to escape to, like a blanket-covered crate, may also help during the big bangs.
