Homeowner devastated after beloved pet dog put down following stress-induced stroke caused from fireworks
A beloved pet whippet had to be put down after suffering a stroke believed to be triggered by fireworks in Derbyshire.
Lucy Gell, 56, from New Mills, was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanise her dog Betsy on October 27 after the pet experienced severe distress from fireworks being set off through the night.
The dog owner had been using a radio to mask the sound of fireworks when the incident occurred after the family went to bed.
Recounting the tragic event, Gell said: “We heard the other dogs barking and went downstairs. She was in real distress and had lost the use of one of her back legs. Her tongue had gone white.”
The distressed owner rushed Betsy to an emergency vet in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on the night of October 26.
The veterinarian determined that the blood supply to Betsy’s leg had been cut off due to a stroke.
Gell explained: “Betsy wasn’t always scared of fireworks – it’s just been in recent years after she grew older.”
The following morning revealed Betsy’s devastating deterioration.
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Recalling the morning after, she said: “I found her in the kitchen lying by the back door. There was poo all over the floor and she didn’t have use of any of her legs.”
The family rushed Betsy to the emergency vet once again.
She said: “There was nothing we could do so we had to make the decision to have her put to sleep. It was heartbreaking.”
“It’s just the circumstances, the issue was the fireworks. I don’t mind organised displays but it’s the randomness of it that people can just buy them and there is no legislation that they can go off at any time.”
Gell, who worked on films including Mars Attacks! and animated series like Brambly Hedge, called for significant changes to firework regulations.
She said: “When I was growing up in the 1970s and 80s, it was all about fireworks that were pretty; it was a nice, social event.”
The puppet animator, whose credits include Noddy, Bob the Builder, and Postman Pat, believes the current minimum age of 18 for purchasing fireworks is too low.
She explained: “I think there needs to be a change in the law so fireworks aren’t so readily available.
“You can buy them once you’re 18 but a lot of people are still too immature then. I think the minimum age should be raised to 25.”
The RSPCA has joined calls for changes to firework legislation, backing initiatives for alternative celebrations.
RSPCA campaign manager Carrie Stones said: “For people with pets, the stress and anxiety around firework season can build resentment with more than half of people telling us that they dread it because of the impact they have on them and their animals.”
The charity is advocating for light shows and drone displays as alternatives to firework shows, while they also push for a cap to reduce noise levels from fireworks.