A number of animal welfare organisations issued warnings ahead of the festive season highlighting the serious impact fireworks and the celebrations can have on all animals.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and the Kennel Club have both issued warnings and guidelines as Halloween and the festive season is approaching.

The Scottish SPCA is reminding people that this time of year can be very stressful for pet owners who are trying to protect their animals from the fear and distress the loud bangs of a fireworks display can cause. Mike Flynn, chief superintendent of the Scottish SPCA, said: “Current regulations are so relaxed that fireworks can be set off on any given day and for weeks and months on end rather than being limited to the major festival periods.

“This leaves pet owners and farmers unable to make adequate provisions for their animals. We’ve been made aware of numerous incidents over the years where animals have come to serious harm and even death as a result of fireworks being set off near them.

“Animals will panic and flee at the sound of the bang and this can result in road traffic accidents. We’ve received reports of wild swans flying into electricity pylons and horses being badly injured after running through barbed wire fences.” The Scottish SPCA is campaigning for fireworks sales to be restricted to the week preceding 5 November and not at all afterwards, with the current rules pertaining to New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali remaining unchanged. The chief added: “The legislation should reflect the serious impact that fireworks can have on the welfare of domestic, farm and wild animals and currently it does not.” Meanwhile, a UK dog welfare organisation, The Kennel Club, is calling on dog owners to make sure their pets are safe and well during Halloween.

The celebrations pose a number of health and welfare risks for dogs. Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, explained: “Halloween can be lots of fun for humans, but can be frightening for dogs or even fatal if the proper precautions are not taken.

People are advised to: keep chocolate and sweets out of reach of dogs, be careful with lit pumpkins, be aware of choke hazards and children, have the number of the dog’s vet in hand and consider walking the dog before the evening.