FIREWORKS displays are set to look very different this year due to Covid-19 with the threat of more private firework displays and parties causing concern for dog owners.

New research from The Kennel Club has found that more than two thirds (67 per cent) of dog owners in the South West are worried about the possibility of fireworks moving closer to home and causing anxiety to their pets.

Private fireworks displays are less predictable than publicly organised ones, which means dog walkers might be surprised by celebrations in otherwise quiet areas.

The Kennel Club has been campaigning for years for tougher restrictions on fireworks displays, and calling for a mandatory local authority permit scheme for private displays and limits on the maximum decibel levels of fireworks, to protect the health and welfare of dogs across the UK.

Fireworks are frightening for dogs for various reasons, including the loud noises, strong smell of explosives and flashing lights. This combination makes many dogs stressed and unpredictable, which can put their safety at risk.

Dog owners are usually familiar with their dog’s reaction to fireworks and take precautions, but with the unprecedented demand for puppies during the pandemic, there are now thousands of new dog owners with young puppies which have probably never experienced fireworks before.

Getting a puppy through their very first fireworks season is yet another issue that those who bought a dog during lockdown are faced with.

Previous research by The Kennel Club indicate a quarter of “pandemic puppy” owners are already concerned about their puppy’s socialisation and behaviour that might have resulted from a lack of training due to Covid-19 restrictions.

For more information and advice on how to make sure dogs are safe and comfortable during the fireworks season, visit: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/fireworks .