Fireworks Can Cause Trouble For Pet Owners And Veterans

“I’ve never thought about that at all before. We’ve never had any issues. We have a big family reunion and everything has gone well there as far as veterans and pets and stuff,” said Montgomery resident Hunter Smith.

 

The day after we celebrate our independence is one of the busiest for animal control and humane shelter volunteers. Many pets get spooked by the explosions and take off running, leaving owners worried. 

 

“Animal control, the humane officers, any of the stray animals that the public wants to pick up, they come to the montgomery humane society. We don’t put them on our website so you physically have to come down and fill out a form and take a look and then we ask you to follow up each and every day because not every dog is caught the first night they escape,” said Steven Tears at the Montgomery Humane Society. 

 

Combat veterans who suffer from PTSD can also have trouble with the loud explosions. This picture of a veteran has gone viral, prompting more awareness for the holiday. 

 

“Even if they know fireworks are about to go off, I think they can still be aware of it but it’s still going to affect them regardless. They have to mediate the problem themselves as well but as civilians we need to be more aware of our surroundings, who we’re by, who we’re shooting fireworks with, just be respectful,” said Thomas Crews with A Hero Foundation.