New fireworks law leads to increased noise complaints, scared animals

The new 31-day period for firework use and sales expired Tuesday and although there has been mixed emotions about the new pyrotechnic laws, Logan’s assistant police chief Jeff Curtis believes any increase of runaway pets, noise complaints, and fires cannot be attributed to the wide use of aerial fireworks.”Everyone’s trying to put a different spin on this firework law, how its ruining our quality of life and such,” he says, “but I don’t think a one year period is enough time to attribute anything to it yet.”During the month of July there have been 52 callers complaining about the noisy fireworks. Most calls come in between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., says Curtis. This year’s number is a noticeable jump from the 32 calls recorded in the same time period in 2010.”Yes, we’re going to have more calls complaining about the noise this year because it is a new law,” says Curtis. “Things will probably calm down next year and as time goes on.”Not only have humans been affected by the explosive ruckus of ‘pops, whizzes, and pings,’ Alyssa Walker of the Cache Humane Society reports the once-banned aerial fireworks and lengthened time period scared canines and other pets.”I’ve heard a lot of complaints from people about how their neighbors, how the city are not realizing what kind of an impact this is having on the pets in the area,” Walker says. “It’s not just the fact that animals have more time to be freaked out, it’s the fact that it builds up. “If it’s just a week here and a week there then, yeah, it builds up and then the end of the week’s done and they’re fine. But when they’re building up through the whole month it means that these animals are terrified the whole month. I’ve definitely seen it with my own personal dog. It didn’t seem nearly as bad last year.”That being said, the number of impounded animals was relatively the same to last year, Walker says, and attributes it to the increased precautions taken by pet owners. “Yes the law changed,” she continues. “Yes it sucks for pet owners but you can’t say you’re not allowed to use fireworks all month just because some people are having problems with their animals. “It’s a situation where they’ve got the freedom to enjoy themselves and we just need to find a way to take care of our animals and making sure they’re protected and kept safe.”Another concern of many who oppose the law is that with more powerful aerial fireworks – which can have up to 500 grams of explosive material – more air pollution could be added in the valley. However, the Bear River Health Department reported no significant change in air quality.

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