The Italian town of Collecchio has passed legislation requiring fireworks to be silent in displays. The new law is to ensure the wellbeing of dogs and other pets. The town decided that the welfare of its pets is more important than the sound of fireworks exploding. Dogs have sensitive hearing and fireworks cause them to develop something called 'acoustic stress'. The sounds and smoke created by fireworks can cause additional health problems for animals. Vets often report cases of nausea, tremors and increased anxiety in animals after a fireworks show.
Awareness of the problems caused by the sound of fireworks is growing in Europe. Germany banned fireworks near refugee shelters to reduce the trauma experienced by refugees who had just fled war zones. Fireworks also cause problems for war veterans. The explosions bring back painful memories of being in areas of conflict and can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder. Not everyone agrees with the idea of silent fireworks. One Italian said: "You need the booms, cracks and thunder. It's an essential part of the fun." He advised pet owners to keep all windows firmly closed.
