Restrict use of fire works (From Penarth Times)

Restrict use of fire works

ON BEHALF of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. I would like to appeal to your readers to support our fireworks campaign, which calls for an end to the disruption and distress caused to dogs and their owners.

Every year guide dogs and other working dogs are sedated, retrained, or in worst cases, retired after being traumatised by the irresponsible use of fireworks.

With the lifetime cost of training, feeding, insuring and providing veterinary care running at £35,000 for each guide dog, the cost to the charity of retiring dogs part way through their working lives is enormous.

However, there is now fresh hope of new legislation being introduced which would restrict and regulate the use of fireworks and this is where I would like to appeal to your readers for help.

On Friday, February 28, a Private Members Bill, to restrict the noise levels, sale and use of fireworks, tabled by Bill Tanya MP, receives its second reading in the House of Commons.

I would like to urge everyone who feels strongly about this issue to write to Mr Alun Michael and encourage him to attend the house on that day and vote for this Bill- without our MP's support the Bill might never become law.

John Chard Chairman Vale of Glamorgan Branch Guide Dogs for the Blind Redlands Road Penarth