MASON CITY – As North Iowans prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence with colorful fireworks displays, the Humane Society of North Iowa reminds you to take a moment to consider the well being and welfare of the canine member of the family.
While humans tend to “ooh” and “aah” at the bright, colorful and loud explosions, it is a different story for man’s best friend. A dog’s hearing is 10 times more sensitive than a human’s; loud fireworks may cause fear, stress and anxiety in your canine pet.
The best advice to any dog owner considering taking their dog to a fireworks display is this: Don’t! The noise and flashing lights are just too stressful on a dog and he may try to flee or even become aggressive out of fear. The best bet is to leave your dog at home.
If the fireworks display can be seen or heard near your home, you should consider these steps to ensure your dog’s safety during the display:
· If your dog is outside, bring him indoors during the fireworks display. The Humane Society of North Iowa has seen many dogs with injured paws because they have clawed and dug their way over or under a fence to try to escape a fearful situation.
· If your dog is used to being crated, you should crate your dog during the fireworks display to ensure their safety even if they’re in the house. The Humane Society has seen animals that have broken through glass windows out of fear.
· Bright flashing fireworks can scare your dog; close drapes and blinds to block out flashing lights.
If your dog runs away or goes missing in Mason City, chances are likely that he will be picked up by Animal Control and will be brought out to the Mason City Stray Animal Shelter (co-located with and managed by the Humane Society of North Iowa). All stray dogs found in Mason City are brought to the shelter, as well as dogs found as strays in Cerro Gordo County.
If your dog is picked up, you will need to present proof of ownership and a current rabies vaccination in order to reclaim your dog. It will aide in the process if your dog wears an ID and rabies tag already. The Mason City Stray Animal Shelter is located at: 2750 South Birch Drive and is open Tuesday- Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (10-7 on Wednesday), and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday. For more information, please contact the Mason City Stray Animal Shelter at: 641-423-3617.
Waiting for Iowans to vote-out these asinine imbeciles who comprise the Republican majority at the State House. Between silencers for guns, and endless bombs exploded under the pretext of “legal fireworks”, Iowa has lost its collective mind. Come back to normalcy.
Why don’t you move to California with your ignorant, leftist attitude. Your type is not needed or wanted in Iowa. The silencer is so you will never hear it coming.
Just waiting for the first injury or property being burn’t down,most have no respect for anyone else but themselves.To bad this many people can’t get off their $ss and vote for something good.Make the fine if caught a 1,000$ for fireworks if they happen to go to hospital for service that would be a double lesson learned ,hit them in the wallet they’ll understand that.
Some pets & Veterans can’t stand the noise from fireworks. Please keep your pets safe. Sucks that people can set them off.
I don’t mind fireworks. A barking dog is enough to piss off the pope though. I get so sick of seeing dog crap in our parks. Cats dig in my garbage when I set it out Friday mornings. And don’t even get me started on dog hair or cats litter boxes. I wish city council would just listen to the people and ban pets and animals. Its not fair to the rest of us.
so every loud noise scares your animals..wow. we need to ban noise right now!
thanks to the moron councilpersons that voted to allow I hope all their neighbors light fireworks from 9am Monday to 10pm Monday night and again on Tuesday, its enough for the pets but what about us humans that have had to listen to them for the last two weeks. just tonight 11:30pm Jaime shot off another one. the police dept needs to get tough, no warnings, if your caught you get a municipal infraction tht could cost you $500. is it worth it?? clear lake council had the right decision, but then they always lead the other cities, their pd is known for “get tough” they don’t put up with any shit
My cat just loves to go for a 30 minute ride in our clothes dryer after we bathe her.
My puppy is so scared, that I think he is going to have a heart attack, his heart beats so fast. He won’t go outside to potty, even when taking him out while it is still light out because someone shoots off a fireworks. I also have severe migraines, which one cause is sudden loud noises. Fireworks have been set off for 2 weeks straight now , every night, by my house and many nights sound like they are igniting in my living room. It is not fair to me or my puppy or the MANY residents in Mason City to satisfy the few who make it so uncomfortable for others. Clear Lake had the common sense to think of it’s residents when it barred fireworks in the city limits. To bad the City Council wasn’t as considerate! I hope the City Council is satisfied with their decision for the people that voted them into office!!
Whaaa! Whaaaaaa! Close your windows and deal with it.
Self-serving, uncaring, idiot.
Windows are closed! So are the drapes!!
Good Lord, sounds like you better move before you pass away from such constant harassment. To bad you just don’t walk over and talk with those giving you the problem. We guess you would rather complain about it, typical mason city resident!!!!
I don’t understand your whining. People have been shooting off fireworks in this town forever at this time of year in Mason City, even when sales in the state have not been legal. You see, it is still not legal to set off fireworks in Mason City until July 3rd, yet it still happens just as it always has. The only difference is that is is legal to sell here now. Nothing has really changed except the sales tax money and revenue to the local economy has stayed in the state of Iowa and not Missouri. Nothing else has changed, I will also tell you that even tho Clear Lake has banned the use of fireworks in the City limits, there will be no change, they will be used there too and the police can’t possibly do anything about it. They have bigger fish to fry.