Pet owners are advised to take precautions although private fireworks displays will once again be banned across Brussels during the New Years’s celebrations.
A previously reported, for the past two years, a ban on the possession, transport and use of fireworks in public spaces has been put in place in the Brussels Region. Violators risk a fine and imprisonment for up to 14 days. Typically for Belgium, legislation is not uniform across the country. A similar ban does not exist in Flanders and Wallonia.
In Brussels, the official fireworks display will take place in the city centre with the iconic fireworks show at Place des Palais – traditionally drawing thousands of people to the city centre. However, the police warned dog owners to leave their pets at home no matter how small they are. "Due to the large crowd and loud bangs, your dog might get scared or stressed and run away.”
Judging from previous years, the ban against private fireworks is likely to be violated and dog owners may want to take advice how to reduce the dog's stress in the New Year. The Swedish kennel club has issued the following advice for dog owners according to an article on Saturday in Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter:
- Never take your dog to a place where fireworks are being set off, even the calmest of dogs can be scared for life.
- Do not leave the dog alone at home when there may be fireworks.
- Walk the dog in good time and keep it indoors during the most intense fireworks bursting. Draw the curtains and play music to muffle outside noise.
- Keep the dog on a leash outside when there is a risk of fireworks being set off, so that it cannot run away in a panic if it gets scared.
- Do not pity or punish the dog if it becomes anxious. Try to distract it with a fun toy or chew bone. If the dog is hiding, let it be.
- Travel away if you have the opportunity, preferably to sparsely populated areas, or take a trip by car during the worst hours.
- If the problems are serious, see a veterinarian in good time for possible medication.
The Brussels Times
