Dog dies after she was terrified by an 'almighty explosion' triggered by fireworks in the Harborough district

A devastated family’s pet dog in Harborough has died after she was terrified by an “almighty explosion” triggered by fireworks.

Richard Wilford and his son Sean, who live in Fleckney, near Kibworth, have been left distraught after their beloved rescue greyhound Faye was killed in the freak incident.

Their nine-year-old dog died almost immediately in front of horrified Richard after smashing straight into the patio doors as fireworks exploded when she was out in their garden.

The tragic accident happened after Faye was rescued from a dog meat farm in China before being adopted by the Wilfords in January 2017.

“She was fine in the house.

“We’d been watching TV and I waited for a break in the fireworks to take her out into the garden to go to the toilet before bed.

“All of a sudden there was an almighty explosion, followed by two more as three fireworks were set off nearby,” said Richard.

“Faye panicked and bolted for the house, running straight into the patio doors.

“The sound of the impact was as loud as the fireworks.

“She fell onto the ground and started convulsing.

“Within two minutes Faye was dead.

“It was horrendous.”

Richard is now backing the RSPCA’s national Bang out of Order campaign calling on the Government to impose much tighter controls on the use of ear-splitting fireworks every autumn.

And the top animal charity’s high-profile mission to crack down on fireworks is also being supported by Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough District Council.

Shocked Phil told the Harborough Mail: “It’s completely tragic what’s happened to this poor dog Faye in Fleckney.

“My heartfelt sympathies go out to Richard and Sean.

“This is a terrible time of the year for people’s pet dogs and cats as well as livestock and birds – and vulnerable, anxious people as well.

“Fireworks have got more and more powerful over the years since I was a boy.

“Let’s face it – they are explosives.

“And these amazingly loud explosives are being let off and detonated in villages and towns all over Harborough over a number of days and nights.”

The Conservative councillor said the annual Guy Fawkes celebration seems to have been even worse this year because of the Covid-19 lockdown and restrictions.

“More people appear to have been exploding fireworks in their back gardens this year because proper organised displays have been cancelled in the pandemic.

“This is a Government issue, as the RSPCA says, and they have to look at this seriously,” insisted Phil.

“The Government has to address how these fireworks are regulated, manufactured and sold.

“Fireworks are louder and more powerful than ever.

“And in the wrong hands they cause a lot of upset and misery for pets and animals as well as piling on stress and anxiety for residents and families.

“I’m backing the RSPCA campaign because this whole issue has to be addressed and reviewed urgently.”

RSPCA animal welfare expert Dr Mark Kennedy said: “Fireworks are extremely stressful and frightening for many animals.

“Around 62 per cent of dogs, 55 per cent of horses and 54 per cent of cats in the UK show signs of anxiety when they hear fireworks.

“All too often we hear heart-breaking stories of animals like Faye who seriously injure themselves in a blind panic after being spooked by fireworks.”

Dr Kennedy added: “Perhaps even more shockingly, we seem to be seeing more incidents reported to our inspectors of animals being deliberately targeted and injured using fireworks.

“Enough is enough.

“We need tighter controls over the sale and use of these potentially lethal explosives.”

The RSPCA is calling for:

- Fireworks to be fired off on traditional dates - November 5, New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali

- The maximum noise level of fireworks for public sale to be slashed from 120 to 90 decibels

- The licensing of all public displays and private displays at special events such as weddings

- And better labelling on fireworks so consumers can make informed decisions on buying ‘low noise’ fireworks.

You can check out the RSPCA’s Bang out of Order campaign and sign a petition demanding urgent changes here: https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaign/fireworks