It's Independence Day weekend, which for many Ohioans means parades and community fireworks displays. But as Ohio Public Radio’s Jo Ingles explains, some people might unknowingly be doing something that hurts Ohio’s vets….and pets.
There are planned community fireworks displays throughout Ohio over the Fourth of July weekend. But it’s the unplanned, illegal backyard fireworks that can really cause problems for some veterans. Suzanne Robinson works with NAMI Homefront, a program that helps families of returning veterans.
Robinson - Families that I’ve spoken to kind of dread holidays like this, the celebratory stuff.
Robinson explains that returning veterans are often hyper vigilant. And that’s why unexpected loud fireworks can easily startle them, causing a post-traumatic stress episode.
Robinson - Obviously when you are prepared for something coming like that, your startle response is not going to be quite the same but when you are not prepared for that and suddenly your neighbor lights things off and you are hearing these noises and you were not expecting it, it can throw things off. I know in working with one of the veterans who was on our expert advisory panel, he remembers hitting the floor one time in a completely odd situation but he heard an unexpected noise and it just threw him off.
There’s another good reason why people shouldn’t set off illegal backyard fireworks or take their dogs to fireworks displays. Teresa Landon with the Ohio SPCA says fireworks and dogs don’t go together.
Landon – It’s very traumatizing, very frightening for them.
Mary Hiser with the Capital Area Humane Society agrees.
Hiser - They are not aware of what’s going on. And they have a fairly strong fight and flight response. And that’s why the day following fireworks is usually the number one day for animal control, whoever in your community that picks up stray dogs because dogs have been terrified and for the first time in their lives have flipped their collar, broken a leash.
Hiser and Landon also warn pet owners to be careful when walking animals around this time of year because they can find debris from fireworks and eat it, causing a potentially poisonous reaction that can hurt or kill the animals. And by all means, animal activists say pets should not be left outside unattended during this holiday season.
It’s important to note that just because fireworks can be purchased in Ohio doesn’t mean they can be used in Ohio. Most fireworks sold here must be taken out of state within 48 hours. In most Ohio cities, using illegal fireworks without a permit is a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries the possibility of six months in prison and a $1000 fine, although judges rarely dole out prison time for misdemeanors.