Local residents are being asked to keep firework and bonfire night celebrations to Saturday, November 5th this year, in an effort to make sure that distress caused to animals is kept to a minimum.

Matthew Burton, from Ross-on-Wye, is asking people in the area to work together so that bonfire night does not become a two-week period where fireworks are set off most evenings, which can cause avoidable distress to animals.

Matthew explained that he and his partner used to have a dog, Gus, who was petrified of the fireworks; each year the sound of the explosions would cause him to cower, shake and hide.

Matthew said: “We tried absolutely everything. We ended up driving him up and down the M50 for two hours every year to avoid the main displays. It’s awful to watch animals suffer like that.”

Sadly, Gus died a few years ago. Matthew said: “Our current dogs are ok with fireworks, but there are many people, pets and animals that can’t make sense of it; they probably think it’s Armageddon. There’s also the shock element; A dog might slip its lead, or cat could escape from a house and run away.”

Matthew told the Gazette: “I’m asking that people volunteer to keep fireworks to one night, as a gesture of community spirit. I’m not trying to create a rule or a ban. It would say a lot about our town if we could all work together. We can achieve something good if everyone makes an effort to try, then encourage friends and family to do the same.

“I’m hoping that people will come on board and do it out of kindness and understanding for animal wellbeing. If we were to ask children, I’m sure they would prefer to go without extra fireworks than scare animals, so let’s ask them.”

He said that if fireworks are kept to one night, this would be a great benefit to pet owners, as they could make the necessary preparations if they know their animals are especially frightened by the explosions. They can use calming sprays, plugins, or remove the pet from the situation completely.

Each year, the Ross Lions arrange a public firework display at the Chase Hotel, an event that attracts many visitors, and funds are raised for charity. Matthew hopes that more local people could support this event.

If people are putting on their own firework displays for their close friends and family, or if a venue is putting on an event, Matthew hopes they will stick to November 5th to keep to tradition. “All fireworks being set off in one evening could be spectacular,” he said.

Matthew has designed posters for residents to display in their cars or windows, reading: “Ross-on-Wye Firework Together on November 5th - Have one spectacular night for humans and less scary weeks for pets and animals.”

The poster has been shared on the Ross-on-Wye Notice Board on Facebook, and this generated a great deal of support and discussion.

Matthew said: “If enough people back it and if the town can work together, it proves we can do the same for other town projects, or this could even generate some positive publicity for Ross-on-Wye, especially if we are the first town in the country to be seen fireworking together.”

Visit www.facebook.com/fireworktogether to get involved.