Editor: In the article, No noiseless fireworks for Bow Valley anytime soon, printed in the Jan. 12 edition of the Outlook, it was indicated that dog owners are concerned about the negative impact of the noise of fireworks on their dogs. Regardless of the article’s conclusion about the feasibility of noiseless fireworks, it seems worth pointing out – especially given the context of the Bow Valley – the potential impact of fireworks on various wildlife species, not just domestic animals. It is known that in some instances, wild animals’ panicked attempts to escape the noise of fireworks has resulted in them being injured or killed, or unwittingly abandoning their young.
Birds are thought to be particularly affected, but the impact on mammals is there as well. During fireworks displays, larger animals like deer may be that much more likely to charge into roads in an attempt to flee. It seems the effect of fireworks on wild animals never receives any attention or consideration.
Monica Dragosz,
Turner Valley
