Guy Fawkes frightening time for animals

Keep your animals safe is the message going out to pet owners as fireworks season approaches.

Fireworks go on sale this Thursday, three days before Guy Fawkes night.

Make sure you take special care of your pets over the next few weeks.

The Council’s Animal Management Team is giving out free bookmarks at retailers, such as The Warehouse and Hell Pizza, giving tips on how to reduce stress on animals caused by fireworks.

Animal Management Team Leader Mark Vincent says once fireworks are available there is usually a two-week window where his staff will see a lot of lost and distressed animals in the community.

“It’s not just a one-night thing unfortunately, as loud fireworks will create frightening sounds for the next few weeks."

His advice is to keep dogs and cats inside the house with a radio or television going for reassurance, or safely confined in a secure room or secured garage.  “The other important step is to make sure your pet is wearing identification such as a collar and tags – dogs can be easily returned to their owners, if they have identification."

Larger animals, such as horses and ponies, could also be frightened by the noise of fireworks and bolt from paddocks, he said. Having a phone number written on their covers or halters helped Council staff track down their owners.

Dog owners should contact the Council’s call centre, which is open 24 hours every day, on 03 941 8999 (0800 800 169) as soon as possible if their pet goes missing.

Mr Vincent says often the call centre staff are able to match a dog to its owner straight away without them needing to stay at the animal shelter. “The goal is to get them home as quickly as we can. That reduces the risk for everyone in dealing with dogs that might become aggressive because they’re in a state of fight or flight.”