With bonfire night fast approaching, vets have backed a call to tighten up restrictions on the sale of fireworks.
A study by animal welfare charity Scottish SPCA showed 90% of vets supported its campaign for stricter regulations, with fireworks causing fear and distress to thousands of animals each year.
Scottish SPCA conducted a survey of veterinary practices across the country earlier this year.
The survey revealed vets dealt with a staggering 2,546 fireworks-related cases in 2012, with 1,334 animals requiring treatment because they had been terrified by the noise.
A total of 859 pets were sedated and there were a further 1,212 calls where advice was given to worried owners.
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said, “Current regulations are so relaxed that fireworks can be set off on any given day and for weeks and months on end, rather than being limited to the major festival periods.
“This leaves pet owners and farmers unable to make adequate provisions for their animals.
“It’s not surprising vets are supportive of our calls for tighter restrictions, given the sheer volume of animals they are treating for fireworks-related fear and our survey is really only the tip of the iceberg.
“Animals will panic and flee at the sound of the bang and this can result in road traffic accidents.
“We’ve received reports of wild swans flying into electricity pylons and horses being badly injured after running through barbed wire fences.
“We’re also aware of incidents where farm animals have aborted their young soon after nearby firework displays.
“A dog’s hearing is twice as sensitive as a human’s and a cat’s three times. The bang from a firework is terrifying to an animal and can cause extreme distress.”