By Hannah Wiles
A Leicester MP has raised concerns with the government about the distress that fireworks cause to pets.
Peter Bedford, MP for Mid Leicestershire, is calling for greater efforts to protect animals, as concerns rise across the county ahead of the firework season.
“I’m passionate about animal welfare,” Mr Bedford said.
“Since my election I’ve met with various organisations such as Dog’s Trust and Battersea and lobbied the government on topics such as distress caused by fireworks.”
With celebrations such as Diwali, Guy Fawkes Night, and the lead-up to New Year’s Eve, fireworks are frequent and the loud noises can be very unsettling for animals.
The bangs can cause shaking, hiding, attempts to escape and, in some cases, injury to people’s pets.
There were many firework displays in Leicestershire this November, including two held in Anstey, an area in Mr Bedford’s constituency.
A petition calling for the maximum noise level of consumer fireworks to be reduced from 120 to 90 decibels has gained more than 100,000 signatures and is currently one of the top petitions in Mid Leicestershire.
Earlier last month, to discuss this concern raised by many of his constituents, Mr Bedford attended a meeting with Battersea, a UK-based charity that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes neglected and abandoned dogs and cats.
The charity believes a reduction in the decibel level of fireworks would make little difference because the hearing of dogs and cats is so sensitive.
It suggests keeping animals calm, relaxed and comfortable in the fireworks season.
Mr Bedford maintains he has also raised broader animal welfare matters.
The MP recently signed Herbie’s Law, a law backing a phased end to testing on animals by 2035.
He has also written to the government to encourage an end to animal testing.
Recently, he received a response from the sentencing council after calling for increased sentences for animal abuse.
As a cat owner himself and a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cats, Mr Bedford said he will continue his involvement in animal welfare.
He added: “Like so many of my constituents, I’m a proud pet owner.
“We’re a proud animal loving nation, and I’ll continue to loudly speak out for our animals.”
