FIREWORKS AND ANIMALS

Early day motion 791, tabled 4 February 2002 by John Barrett (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 112 members.

That this House notes the recent report of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals entitled 'Fireworks and Animals', which estimates that at least 8,000 animals received veterinary attention for problems directly related to fireworks in Scotland in 2001, that the duration of animals' exposure to firework stress and injury stretched far beyond 5th November, with some vets receiving cases as early as September and that in some cases, animals have had to be put down due to injury or stress associated with fireworks; is particularly disturbed by and condemns the cases of deliberate attacks on animals, including one reported episode where fireworks were let off in a car containing two dogs; agrees with the SSPCA's conclusions that the sale and use of fireworks should be restricted to a strict time window, which would allow pet owners to plan in advance and that people planning fireworks displays should be actively encouraged to consider the effects on neighbouring animals; and believes that this information only serves to back up the widespread feeling within the House that the sale and use of fireworks must be better regulated.

Signatures by party: Labour 82, Liberal Democrat 17, Labour/Co-operative 5, UUP 4, Scottish National Party 3, Conservative 1.