Think About Fido During Tonight's Fireworks | Local News

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"He's going to be indoors. We'll try to keep him somewhere well-protected," Kiaran responds, when asked about how her dog, Tanga, will react to the Fourth of July fireworks. "He's usually a very mellow guy, but something like that would really spook him."

ARLINGTON — Fireworks sales are up for 2022, but that’s not good news for everyone.

Animal experts warn that our furry friends might not like the exploding sounds so much.

Cathi Comar is the Executive Director at Second Chance Animal Shelter in Arlington. She recommends keeping dogs in the interior of the home, and avoiding windows so the sound of fireworks is muffled.

“Some people actually put their dogs in the bedroom or bathroom,” said Comar. Some even put their dogs in the bathtub.

Soft music helps drown out the noise. Thunder shirts provide dogs with a comforting compression, similar to swaddling a baby. Depending on the severity of the dog’s anxiety, a veterinarian can provide anti-anxiety medication. It will “take that anxiety level down a few notes,” said Comar.

Maya Richmond, executive director at Windham County Humane Society, suggests getting identification tags and chips for pets. The July 4 season tends to be the “number one time dogs get lost,” she said.

“They escape,” she said. “They’re scared.”

Richmond highly recommends owners leave their pets at home when they attend fireworks shows. She said dogs don’t particularly enjoy large crowds and the events.

“It can be disorienting and confusing,” she said. “If they’re at home and your dog is scared of noises, I would advise that people try to find a comfortable spot on the interior of the house.”

Richmond said dogs can be crated or kept in a basement in a comfortable way. She suggests setting them up with water and blankets, closing the windows and putting on soothing music to reduce or muffle the sound of fireworks.

“Do not leave them in a hot car,” she said.

Some dogs might get “really petrified” after hearing fireworks and urinate inside a home, Richmond said. She recommends not scolding the dog in this situation.

If a neighbor has been shooting off fireworks, Richmond encourages people to check their yard for old fireworks or debris before taking their dog out. Dogs like some novelty and sometimes eat things they shouldn’t, she said.

Also, Richmond suggests cats should be brought indoors when fireworks are going off.

Despite the cost of fireworks increasing, sales are still up over last year during the busiest time of year at Phantom Fireworks in Hinsdale, N.H.

“They’re not going anywhere,” said Mary Bebey, manager of Phantom Fireworks. “This weekend, we were packed. I mean, they were parked in the field out there. Every register was running.”

Not every item is more expensive, Bebey said. She declined to go into specific detail on financial information.

According to reports, prices for fireworks can be up as much as 35 percent over last year. Demand has increased since shows were cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic and shipping prices also have risen.

Higher costs caused Vermont Symphony Orchestra to forego fireworks for its festival this year. However, in Grafton, the community raised funds to allow for fireworks at the festival stop there Sunday.

Bebey has seen customers from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont. She noted the lack of sales tax in New Hampshire.

Also, some types of fireworks available in the state are not in others. People “need to check with local laws before bringing stuff back,” said Hinsdale Fire Chief Charles Rataj.