Canada Day weekend fireworks have sparked more calls to regulate or ban backyard fireworks in Nova Scotia.
“I think they should be regulated. I think there should be a certain amount of time before people can blow them off and they should let people know,” Cassidy Augustine said.
Augustine’s dog, an American Eskimo named Jupiter, ran out of her backyard on Canada Day in response to fireworks that went off near her home around 8:30 p.m.
The backyard was fenced off, but Jupiter found a hole under it.
Augustine and her friend ran after her dog and people in the neighborhood came up to help. Augustine said that at one point someone managed to pick up her dog, but Jupiter bit the person and they let him go.
Augustine and her friend eventually found Jupiter dead next to the nearby train tracks. She believes her dog was hit by a train.
“I felt so guilty. She died scared and alone and it was really hard to find her there,” Augustine said.
That night, the dog’s owner was expecting fireworks. She planned to stay inside with her dog for a community fireworks display at 10 p.m
What she didn’t expect was the neighbors setting off fireworks when it was still light.
“I don’t think they were malicious and I’m not mad at them,” she said. “I just want people to know and I want people to realize the effect of setting off fireworks. It might be a nice light show, but it affects the other people around them, it affects the wildlife.
Thousands more are calling for a ban on the sale and use of consumer fireworks in Nova Scotia. More than 15,000 people have signed a petition claiming that fireworks cause terror, pain or death to animals and also have a negative impact on people living with PTSD or autism.
Hugh Chisolm, a retired veterinarian who is also a spokesperson for the #Fireworkshurt group, said the group received reports that at least nine dogs escaped over the Canada Day weekend and at least one died. Although some of the dogs have returned home safely, others are still missing.
“We’re not opposed to official events like the Canada Day fireworks in Halifax or Sydney,” Chisolm said. “The personal stuff seems to be getting worse and worse. And like I said, it’s out of control.
The owner of Fireworks FX believes people should warn neighbors before setting off fireworks, but said bans won’t work. He also believes that displays bring joy.
“Fireworks are one of the ways that you and I and our families and friends celebrate and we’re happy and we can forget about our problems and the world for just a few short moments,” said Fred Wade.
The province of Nova Scotia says it is not currently considering a ban on consumer fireworks.
A provincial spokesman said municipalities may have bylaws on when consumer fireworks can be used.
Augustine wanted to thank the people who tried to help her dog.
“I just want to thank the people who tried to help her and tried to save her,” she said. “This means a lot for me.”
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