Shropshire pet owner calls for firework sales ban
A pet owner has called for fireworks to be banned from sale to the general public after five of them were let off near his house over the weekend.
Ray Hulse said that only people with a licence should be able to buy fireworks, particularly to prevent danger and distress to animals.
Mr Hulse, 72, of Wellmeadow in Bridgnorth, said he had been woken during the early hours of Saturday and Sunday morning.
He said: "At 3.48am somebody let off three massive bangers down in Low Town somewhere.
"I rang the police and again on Sunday morning, at 3.33am, two more bangers were let off.
"I don't want to be a kill joy but it's time they were not sold to the general public.
"They should be sold to people carrying proper licenses because then we would not have them going off in the early hours of the morning.
"There are also numerous times fireworks stray into barns and burn them down.
"I've had dogs all my life and when I walked one I would have to take her home because she was petrified of fireworks.
"If a banger went off when she was playing in the fields she would be so scared."
Mr Hulse said fireworks used to only be set off one day either side of bonfire night or on the day itself but now he hears them for weeks.
"When I was growing up you'd only hear or see them for a couple of days but now they are going off all the time.
"I think it's only right fireworks are sold to reputable businesses because they cause so many problems."
West Mercia Police said it encouraged people to stick to large, organised displays as Bonfire Night approached.
The force has also asked those who decide set fireworks off in residential areas to consider their neighbours – and to make them aware of their plans so they can make alternative arrangements or prepare their pets for any disturbance.
Superintendent David McWilliam said: "We asked people to be a responsible and considerate of other members of the community.
"We all know the dangers of fireworks but we often become complacent due to them being commonplace.
"We asked people to be responsible, consider others within the community, act within the law, stay safe and help others stay safe."
