Remember Roxie - Bonfire Night warnings issued across Lancashire to ensure no more animals lose their lives
Sadly Roxie lost her life.
Numerous Bonfire Night warnings have been issued across Lancashire ahead of this evening and weekend displays.
Members of the RSPCA and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have urged those using fireworks to be mindful of animals and damaging property.
Countless animals have lost their lives from the stress of fireworks.
One such case was a baby red panda named Roxie, who choked on her vomit at Edinburgh Zoo on November 5, 2024, and veterinary experts believe this was likely a reaction to fireworks being set off across the city centre.
Staff at the zoo also suggested that loud fireworks could have played a role in the ‘untimely death’ of Roxie’s mum Ginger, who died five days earlier.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), who operate the zoo, is now urging the public to contact their MP and MSP to support a petition in favour of limiting the use of fireworks in a bid to ‘avoid devastating consequences for animals like Roxie’.
The RSPCA have also issued warnings ahead of Bonfire Night, asking people not to release fireworks at home due to a "rising number of incidents" and "growing concerns for animal welfare".
RSPCA advice for pet owners:
- Put on music/TV. This will help to mask the firework sounds.
- Play with a toy to see if your pet wants to join in but don't force them to play.
- Close any windows and do what you can to block out both the noise and the flashes.
- Keep your environment secure: make sure your pet can't escape if there's a sudden noise.
- For dogs: let them pace around, if they're whining, barking or hiding, let them.
- Stay calm and show your pet that all is well.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service issued the following warning:
“You wouldn’t steal a car.
“You wouldn’t damage a car.
“You wouldn’t want someone throwing things at your vehicle.
“So don’t throw them at ours.”
They added: “Our fire engines are there to help people in an emergency.
“Damaging them or putting our crews at risk could delay us from reaching someone who desperately needs our help.
“Let our crews focus on what they’re there to do: help people when they need us most.”