Keep pets safe during Fourth of July weekend

While the Independence Day holiday is one many folks hope goes off with a bang, their pets may not share that same sentiment.

A dog can hear up to four times the distance a human is capable of, according to the http://www.dogfacts.org Web site.

“What may be very festive sounds to you or me, aren’t entertaining at all to your pet who won’t understand what the cracking and popping sounds of fireworks are,” said All Creatures Veterinary Clinic owner and veterinarian Kim James Bond. “I’ve never seen a dog enjoy a fireworks show.”

A point Laurel Gardener, a veterinarian with Village Veterinary Clinic, agrees with.

“Most injuries we see that involve pets around the Fourth of July holiday are the result of a firework like a bottle rocket that strikes the dog in the eye or nose,”  Gardner said.

Bond says that loud noises like fireworks are ones dogs (and cats) might associate with a thunderstorm to which their instinctive reaction would be to “den up” and hide from.

Protecting your pet from the potential stress and injury of fireworks may be the humane thing to do but whether a person discharges fireworks within Auburn city limits, boils down to an issue of legality.

Sections 13-10 of the Auburn city code and Section 19-586 of the Opelika city municipal code respectively, prohibit the sale or discharge of fireworks.

Aside from adhering to the law, Bond has another piece of advice pet owners can follow to keep their four-legged family members safe over the holiday weekend.

“If you’re planning to attend a fireworks celebration this weekend, leave your pet home and indoors if possible,” Bond said.