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Change firework laws to protect animals

Thousands of animals suffer every year due to fireworks. Help prevent their pain and save lives by joining us in advocating for change.

Woman and dog sat on a bench

Cats and dogs have a greater hearing range and higher sensitivity than humans

The affects of private displays

During the 2023 fireworks season, 67% of respondents to our impact reporting survey highlighted that private back yard displays were the cause of their animals fear response.

Harmful sound levels to pets

Fireworks can produce a sound between 120-175 decibels (db). Dogs and cats ears are more sensitive and can hear sounds much further away than humans.

Sounds over 85 dB can damage a humans hearing, while sounds over 140 dB can cause immediate damage and pain. It’s well known that animals have more sensitive hearing than humans in both frequency and volume.

Animals such as dogs and horses can suffer from tinnitus, hearing loss and long-term hearing damage caused by fireworks, as well as experiencing stress and fear. Similarly, livestock such as horses often try to escape the bangs out of fear, sometimes injuring themselves in the process.

Decibel key

  • 140 dB: Causes immediate damage and pain
  • 130 dB: Ambulance/Jackhammer
  • 120 dB: Jet plane takeoff/Thunder
  • 110 dB: Sporting events/Nightclub
  • 100 dB: Motorcycle
  • 90 dB: Blender/Power tools
  • 85 dB: Harmful level above this point
  • 80 dB: Police siren
  • 75 dB: Vacuum cleaner
  • 70 dB: Office
  • 60 dB: Normal conversation level

See how many animals are affected in your area with private displays

See the impact of your at home fireworks displays. Simply input your postcode or location into the box below and click ‘Search’.

Pet population data published by: Animal and Plant Health Agency.

Last updated: 01 November 2023.

This dataset is a modelled dataset, describing the predicted population of dogs and cats per postcode district (e.g. YO41). This dataset gives the mean estimate for population for each district, and was generated as part of the delivery of commissioned research.

Out with the Bang, take action!

Join us by encouraging your local council and MP to take more action on fireworks by implementing our recommendations. Use our pre-written email, it only takes a minute.

Further reading

Bibliography

Office for product safety standards. 2021. Fireworks: noise levels and impacts on health and the environment 

HM Government. 2020. An introduction to how dogs hear 

Animal and Plant Health Agency. 2023.

The Social Market Foundation.