All these fireworks are terrifying to pets

Do those who let off fireworks ever consider animals? We have lost our dog this year but when she was alive she was terrified to the point of hyperventilating.

Every November we had to sedate her with medicine from the vet. It started on November 4 or 5, but 15 years on the vet was having to supply me with ten days' worth of tablets.

When it was just bonfire week you kept your animals in safe; but now when they're going off all the time, what chance have they got?

I always understood there was a law to say that fireworks couldn't be sold except in November. I would like to know when this changed and why the public have no say in the matter.

Organised displays are acceptable as notice is given, but not people letting off fireworks in back gardens and so forth.

C M Archer,

Twinpike Way, Wigginton,

York.

...I WAS interested to read your article on shops in York who are breaching the voluntary code of conduct and are selling fireworks all year round. In this area of York, fireworks are already being set off in the evenings.

Last year it went on from early October right through to the New Year.

May I suggest that those of us who are affected by this nuisance boycott those shops who are flouting the code of conduct? And as a voluntary approach clearly hasn't worked, let's have a proper law to restrict the time when fireworks can be sold.

Mrs C Dearden,

Fairway, York.

...I AM greatly concerned that the police are saying that it is the council's responsibility regarding fireworks.

I was under the impression that it is against the law to let off fireworks in the street. So why are we paying considerably more council tax to the police if they are not doing what they are paid for? When the new law is in force next year, will it still be low priority therefore rendering it useless?

Mrs J McDonald,

East Parade,

York.

Updated: 11:12 Wednesday, October 08, 2003