The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
-Mahatma Gandhi
The Physiological & Psychological Effects of Fireworks on Animals -2019
Our dogs (and other animals), by design, have at least 4 times the hearing ability that humans do. The decibel level of sound that fireworks inflict on our family pets and wildlife can be compared to firing a gun off next to your ear without protective gear. This decibel level causes an assault to the central nervous system and neurology of the animal’s brain that is similar to sonic booms that are used to disorient and make humans sick and disable enemies when used in warfare. This assault on the animal's neurology and central nervous system causes a biochemical response in the body which releases a flood of arousal, excitement, stress, fear and anxiety hormones: testosterone, adrenaline and cortisol. The surge of this cocktail of hormones increases blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates triggering one or a combination of the following behaviours: flight, fight, freeze or submit. In all cases the animal experiences traumatic stress injury to the neurology of the brain and central nervous system in the moment that the sound occurs resulting in the following behaviours; Flight: desperately trying to flee the noise source Fight: standing their ground and barking towards the noise source Freeze: going into shock and unable to move Submit: collapsing to the ground In extreme cases some dogs and other animals may suffer seizures or heart attacks. The specific behavioural response depends on a combination of the individual animal’s genetics, environmental influences and life experience, but all suffer traumatic stress injury which can manifest as mild to severe behavioural problems and loss of appetite. Some people claim that their animal does not show any of these signs. They are mistaken and those individual animals are simply internalizing the stress which can have devastating effects on their physiology and psychology in the form of physical disease and post traumatic stress disorders. These effects are accumulative and compounded with each subsequent firework event. There is a need to educate people about the devastating and damaging effects including injury, suffering and death which the noise fireworks cause to our innocent pets and wildlife. The intention of this article is not to stop firework enthusiasts from having fun. The intention of this article is to inform people of the unnecessary suffering, injury and death of our family pets and wildlife so that people can make a more humane choice in the way they choose to celebrate. S.L.Prewitt Canine Behaviourist, Master Trainer, Dog Psychology Expert Also: How Fireworks Harm Nonhuman Animals––A Must Read (click here)How Would You Feel?-2019
How would you feel, and what would you think, if you contributed to ending unnecessary suffering, injury and death of our wildlife and family pets? A compassionate and psychologically healthy person would experience pride, joy and a sense of accomplishment in doing something so easy and logical. You can make this contribution and experience this pride by simply:
There is a small, but rapidly diminishing, segment of the population who persist in ignoring the fact that the use of fireworks is causing harm to our innocent creatures just for a fleeting moment of entertainment therefore acting in denial of the well documented destructive consequences. Unfortunately this demonstrates to our children that an activity which is actually a form of cruelty, torture and suffering of our wildlife and family pets is acceptable and to be enjoyed. In our civilized society animal abuse is frowned upon, illegal and considered a sign of serious psychological disorder in the perpetrator. Now that we are aware of the physiological and psychological effects of fireworks, let’s creatively find ways to enjoy festivities that are safe for all.
S.L.Prewitt
Educated Animal Advocate |