Bonfire night firework concern over guide dogs

The charity Guide Dogs, external said about a quarter of guide dog owners report that their animals show signs of distress when they hear and see fireworks.

Tim Stafford, director of canine affairs, said the organisation works hard to socialise their puppies and expose them to firework sounds through recordings.

But the real thing is very different – and though most dogs will quickly recover from unexpected sounds, some cannot, he said.

Mr Stafford added: “Someone who would normally go home on the bus or the train, because they are perhaps leaving an office after dark, they can’t do that in firework season.

“Because they have to protect the dog from that fear, so the dog can work safely for them.”

Though he would like to see more restrictions on the sale of fireworks, he said things could be more easily improved by people choosing silent fireworks, or only going to organised displays, rather than having fireworks at home.