Keep your dogs safe this Bonfire Night

Herefordshire Council is urging all dog owners to take extra care to make sure their dogs do not go missing during Bonfire Night celebrations.

Traditionally, the time around Bonfire Night is when the council's dog warden service is at its busiest with dogs escaping from homes after being frightened by the noise of fireworks.

Mike Higgins, Herefordshire Council's animal health and welfare manager, said: "Last year we had 14 dogs escape after being frightened during Bonfire Night celebrations but luckily we were able to reunite them with their owners.

"To save distress to the dogs, however, it is better if they are kept indoors when fireworks are going off and owners should also ensure all windows, doors and dog flaps are kept firmly shut," he added.

The council is also reiterating its call for all dog owners to get their pets tagged or micro-chipped because then, if they do escape or get lost, they can be reunited more quickly with their owners.

Councillor John Jarvis, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for the environment and strategic housing, said: "As a dog owner myself, I know how stressed dogs can become during Bonfire Night celebrations and would urge people to keep their pets indoors when fireworks are going off.

"Now is also a perfect time to get dogs either tagged or micro-chipped as this can help us to reunite any lost dogs with their owners much more quickly," he added.

The council has also set up has an internet-based service on its website to help reunite owners with lost dogs. Just click on the Stray Dogs link in the Spotlights box.

This service offers peace of mind to any owners who have lost dogs outside normal working hours because any dogs featured on this site are being well cared for at the council's kennels.