First off there is a precedent on what I am suggesting. Northern Ireland it is illegal for private citizen to buy F2, F3 or F4 category fireworks (basically anything but indoor fireworks such as restaurants put on cakes) without a fireworks licence. It controls the sale and use of them more than we have now but does not stop people who know how to use them from using them. Assuming there is a degree of learning to get the licence that is. Even just the extra effort used to get the paperwork probably creates a degree of more responsiblility in those using them.
Second, I have a dog, there are millions of dogs in the UK so why are we not wading through poop in the UK? Could it be because irresponsible dog owners are probably running at the same levels as lets say irresponsible cyclists. Plus there are about 850k horses in the UK who are heavily affected by firework noise. They do not poop on the pavement that often (and if they do if youre a keen gardener like my Dad you';d be out there with a bucket collecting it). Then again there are cats too who can be stressed too although those dirty buggerss do poop in others gardens without any owners picking it up.
So I want to know how I am being antisocial as a dog owner. There is no dog poop issue with me as it is picked up straight away. BTW dogs have a different action for wee and poo so even if the dog is far off in an empty field you get to know your dog and can easily tell the poop action from a distance and then go to collect, which I do. I still want to know how I am being antisocial.
Of course focussing on dogs forgets all the other pets and other animals who get stressed by fireworks. about 40% of dogs get stressed, 75% of horses get stressed. I did see a figure on cats but have forgotten it.
If you do not legislate for things that cause harm then there would be a free for all on the roads with no speed limits, alcohol limits, driving tests, probably even signs and road regulations. Or you would not have laws controlling who can be a medical doctor, surgeon, lawyer, etc. Anyone could work with kids and young adults. No dangerous dog or other animal legislation. Put it this way I would not be chasing off nextdoors tabby from poooping in my garden if it was the size and genetic makeup of a jaguar, tiger or lion!!
The question is not whether safety legislation is right or wrong it is whether it is warranted. At what level of harm is enough to have stronger legislation? Is it only deaths that count or serious injury / harm? According to NHS England figures last November there was 1 call for NHS burns advice over the fireworks / bonfire weekend on average every 21 seconds!! Does that no count as sufficient reason to look into stronger regulation?
Pretty much every fireworks season there are stories on TV news about thugs firing fireworks at the fire and rescue service responding to calls for help. That they need police escort to respond to fire callouts in the season due to fireworks and attacks. It pretty much happens every year. Does that sound like the regulations on fireworks are where they need to be?
