Too many children and animals - never mind adults - are getting harassed and scared because of the inconsiderate use of fireworks by the general public. Fireworks should only be used by licensed companies at organised, notified displays. Sales of fireworks to the public through supermarkets, shops and pop up shops should cease.

Every year we also see the horrific injuries caused to children which in many cases scar them for life. In addition to negative effects of the fireworks on our citizens both our domesticated  and wild animals as well as our birds suffer when fireworks explode. This can be quite clearly seen by the number of animals that are lost when fireworks are exploding, the amount of animals that get run over and lastly by the amount of animals that injure themselves so badly trying to escape from the fireworks that they have to be put down. 

The trauma caused to pet owners during this time is horrendous.  Many dog owners have to wait until the early hours of the morning to take dogs out side to go to the toilet.  Animals should not be made to be prisoners in their owners houses, afraid to go into the garden.

We are not suggesting that the fun police are everywhere - keep the sparklers and the low level (no noise) fireworks.  The everyday person does not need access to high energy, loud fireworks for use at their house.

We support the public display of fireworks but would like the government to ban the sales of fireworks to the general public. The firework season (which goes on for much longer than one night) causes animals great distress, many dogs and cats are deathly afraid of fireworks. The rural community has long been concerned for livestock and horses, many of whom bolt and injure themselves as a result of fireworks. Birds nesting at night are also frightened, as are animals in the Zoo. Vets see animals seriously damage from fireworks intentionally used to injure them and also from unintentional injuries from fireworks. We have a duty of care to animals, both urban and wild, our right to be entertained in our backyard should not superceed their rights to a safe and fear-free environment.