Every year guide dogs and other working dogs are sedated, retrained, or in worst cases retired after being traumatised by the irresponsible use of fireworks. This causes considerable upset and anxiety for both the guide dog and its owner. and with lifetime cost of training, feeding, insuring and providing veterinary care running at £35,000 for each guide dog, the cost to the charity of retiring dogs part way through their working lives is enormous.

This issue also affects thousands of pets, as well as elderly people and families with young children.

However there is now fresh hope of new legislation being introduced which would restrict and regulate the use of fireworks, and this is where I would like to further appeal to your readers for help.

On Friday February 28th a Private Members Bill to restrict the noise levels, sale and use of fireworks, tabled by Bull Tynan MP, receives its second reading in the house of commons. I would urge everyone who feels strongly about this issue to write to their local MP and encourage them to attend the house on the day and vote - without their support the bill may never become law.

If anyone would liek further information about the Private Members Bill or how to contact their MP please phone 0118 983 8380 or 8242 or email akison.wade@gdba.org.uk

Please support our campaign. We don't want to ruin people's fun, but we don't want people's lives ruined either.