Pet owners and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) want the public to be aware of the distress fireworks can cause animals.
The SPCA this week advised pet owners to keep their animals indoors, in a safe, quiet place.
"Many animals experience fear and distress caused by the sounds, smells and bursts of light that fireworks produce," it said.
The organisation advised making a safe place for pets to go during fireworks displays.
It also advised feeding dogs a big, heavy, high-carbohydrate meal of pasta, potatoes or overcooked rice in the late afternoon, to make them sleepy in the evening.
Tainui couple Hilda and Owen Bennett said they wanted people to be more aware of pets, after one of their parrots got such a fright when neighbours set of fireworks last year that it flew in to a wall and died.
"We have the same problems (with fireworks frightening their birds) every year."
A community-group or council-organised public display would be an obvious solution to reducing accidents and the use of unsupervised fireworks in backyards, as well as providing a safe and affordable display for people who could ill-afford to buy fireworks themselves, she said.
Schools that used to organise public fireworks displays as fundraisers in the Dunedin area said last year that they had pulled out because the cost and amount of work required to put the events on meant they were not effective fund-raisers.
The weather forecast for Dunedin, North Otago and South Otago tonight is for rain following a southwest change, hail and thunder in the afternoon.
Scattered showers are predicted for Central Otago from afternoon, with northwest winds turning southwest..
debbie.porteous@odt.co.nz
Safety tips
- Read instructions with torchlight, not a naked flame.
- Light fireworks in a wide open area.
- Never let a child light fireworks.
- Keep a bucket of water or hose handy.
- Keep unlit fireworks in a bag until you are ready to use them.
- If the firework doesn't go, dispose of it safely.
- Don't try to relight it.
- Burns should be put under cold running water for 20 minutes.
- Be considerate to your neighbours: fireworks are noisy.
- Keep your pets inside.
- Point fireworks at the stars, not other people.