SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Residents around Central New York are frustrated with fireworks that have been going off in the night for weeks.
“The loud fireworks at night show disrespect for the many veterans living in this area who report being frightened by them,” said Westcott resident Peter Moller.
The loud noises waking up residents are also putting pets in danger.
“Not to mention innocent pets like cats and dogs that don’t understand what the noise is all about,” said Moller.
Dee Schaefer, humane educator at CNY SPCA, said that fireworks can cause a lot of trouble for animals.
“A dog or a cat’s hearing is so much more sensitive than ours that it sounds like it’s going off in their head. Their reaction is a fight or flight reaction,” said Schaefer.
These loud noises have been keeping up Kathy Dunn, resident in Syracuse, as well as her dog Polly.
“The most frustrating part is the surprise of it and it’s loud. It raises my blood pressure,” said Dunn.
For other animals like birds, the loud noises could potentially cause death.
“It’s just almost sentimental like a heart attack. It is really a fright. And for an animal they can’t cover their ears,” said Schaefer.
Dunn noticed her dog Polly would pace and run away when the loud noises occur.
“She gets very apprehensive, she paces around a lot, and seems to be off her food a bit,” said Dunn.
Other popular firework items like sparklers can cause potential danger to animals as well. According to Schaefer, these items have toxins that would cause a lot of harm to animals.
“Leftover fireworks are toxic to animals. They don’t know what they are and they think they are food and they eat them and then end up being poisoned by them,” said Schaefer.
Despite calls to the police and local neighborhood watch groups, residents are most concerned that this upcoming holiday weekend will only increase the disturbances.
“We have one day set aside for fireworks. That should be enough,” said Moller.
