Fireworks, Pets & Farm Animals

Celebrate the 4^th - But Don’t Forget About our Animal Neighbors

With July 4^th just days away the season of fireworks is upon us!  While celebrating the birth of our nation with friends and family it is important to remember to have respect for your neighbors including the furry and feathered ones.

Animals are easily spooked by fireworks.  Animals as far as a ½ mile away can be affected by loud explosions.  Keep your neighbors’ dogs and cats in mind, and don’t forget about our local farm animals!

Fireworks frighten all farm animals including horses, cows, goats, and sheep and can be especially traumatic for the baby animals.   When farm animals panic, they often run from what they are afraid of.  Exploding fireworks can trigger them to break through fences causing injury to themselves and others.  They can be spooked loose from their enclosures and onto roadways and the property of neighbors.

Farmers and pet owners can incur huge veterinary expenses of injured animals and these animals can potentially suffer permanent injuries. 

Please be courteous of your neighbors’ property as debris and embers will spread litter and can potentially start fires on homes, hay fields and barns.

With even more new development popping up in our Ag District, BNU hopes to educate residents on this important issue in our Farms First Community.  Be a good neighbor and notify your farm neighbors within a half mile before of any firework activities.  We recently visited a horse farm in Ballston whose horses broke through fences due to a neighbor’s unexpected backyard firework display.  Prior notification would have allowed the farmer to secure his horses in the barn thus avoiding serious and possible long-term injuries and expensive veterinarian bills.

We all want to have a safe and fun 4^th of July.  If you do want to enjoy fireworks this season please consider attending a local public display.  If you are setting off your own fireworks it is very important to be conscious of your neighbors.  Also consider an alternate location further away from farms.

Please remember to knock on your neighbors’ doors (or text) to inform them about your firework plans so they can make appropriate accommodations for their precious animals.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day everyone!