Heartbroken dog owner calls for firework ban after her terrified pet is spooked by loud explosions, run over and killed

• Fiona Longworth, 47, was walking her Spanish rescue dog Sol near their home
• The Collie Greyhound cross was sent fleeing after a firework went off nearby 
• The terrified dog ran for over three miles before he was struck by a car on the A1

A heartbroken dog owner has called for a ban on the sale of fireworks after her beloved pet was spooked by an explosion and killed by a car. 

Fiona Longworth, 47, was walking her Spanish rescue dog Sol near their home in Dunbar, East Lothian, when a firework whizzed past them.

The two-year-old Collie Greyhound cross had never been scared of fireworks before but the intensity of the loud bang, which was followed by a number of other explosions, spooked the pooch as it slipped its collar and ran off.

A frantic search was launched, but the terrified dog ran for over three miles before he was struck by a car and killed instantly on the A1. 

Fiona, who runs The Argyle and Cellar Bar in Edinburgh, has been left absolutely heartbroken and she is now desperate for fireworks to be banned.

Fiona Longworth, 47, has called for a ban on the sale of fireworks after her beloved dog Sol was spooked by an explosion and killed by a car 

She was walking the Spanish rescue dog near their home in Dunbar, East Lothian, when a firework whizzed past them, scaring the pooch who then ran for over three miles before he was hit by a car on the A1 

Speaking to the Daily Record, Fiona said: ‘We are just absolutely destroyed. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep – we were just so fond of him. 

READ MORE: How fireworks displays have become a neighbourhood row flashpoint: Locals blast ‘noisy’ rockets that scare kids, frighten pets and cause parking nightmare at bonfires – amid calls for restrictions on buying sparklers 

‘He was just an amazing, confident, happy dog. Loud noises didn’t really bother him so much, but this just completely freaked him out.

‘The fireworks were absolutely ridiculous this year. Last year Sol watched the fireworks, he wasn’t particularly scared. It’s just the level and volume of them this year. It’s been so intense.

‘He was just out his usual, quick walk when a wizz went off near him. He was on a lead but managed to get out of his collar. At this point loads of fireworks started going off and he was jumping up, just completely spooked.

‘We couldn’t get him – he just ran and ran for about three miles down the A1 road before he was hit by a car head on.’

Fiona has now called for more restrictions to be implemented so that owners of all animals can better prepare for fireworks.

She teared up as she added: ‘When you think about him running that far, full pelt – he must have been so scared. It was just so intense, all the noise.

‘I know that you can’t ban fireworks displays completely – and there are some people who enjoy them – but there has to be more regulations. I don’t think just anyone should be able to buy fireworks.

Fiona, who runs the The Argyle and Cellar Bar in Edinburgh , has been left absolutely heartbroken after Sol’s death and she is now desperate for fireworks to be banned

The two-year-old Collie Greyhound cross had never been scared of fireworks before but the intensity of the loud bang had spooked the pooch

‘I think it should just be organised displays. When I was young you would have one fireworks display on one night, and it ran for a particular amount of time and pet owners could prepare.

‘It’s just ridiculous now. They are going off all the time. No one knows where they are being set up. They’re not controlled – it’s dangerous. People say you just shouldn’t take your dogs out, but it’s not as simple as that.

‘He needed to go to the toilet. It was his usual walk. We never ever thought that he would run like that. It’s just the intensity of all of it – it never ended for a full week.’

The Scottish SPCA has echoed Fiona’s calls for more restrictions to be implemented and have called for the use of alternatives such as silent fireworks.

Director of innovation and strategic relations at the animal welfare charity, Gilly Mendes Ferreira, added: ‘Each year we see the impact of fireworks first hand after the animals in our care become distressed. 

‘Many pet owners, farmers and horse owners experience first-hand the terrifying effect fireworks have on animals.

‘The Scottish Government has introduced regulations to implement firework control zones across Scotland and we welcome this. The restrictions are much needed to prevent unnecessary suffering among animals. 

‘Our thoughts go out to those who have been affected by fireworks and we want to do all we can to highlight these incidents to make sure animals and their owners are protected.’

The Scottish SPCA has echoed Fiona’s calls for more restrictions to be implemented and have called for the use of alternatives such as silent fireworks. Pictured: Fiona’s beloved dog Sol 

It comes after Police Scotland slammed a ‘disgusting level of disorder’ seen on Bonfire Night as fire crews and cops were attacked.

In total eight cops were injured on duty in Glasgow and Edinburgh after a number of incidents with petrol bombs, fireworks and projectiles that required a response from specialist police.

Around 100 people gathered on Hay Avenue in Niddrie, Edinburgh, in a repeat of disorder seen last year in the neighbourhood. Drone footage showed people aiming fireworks and petrol bombs at riot police. 

Officers say around 50 of them were responsible for directing fireworks, petrol bombs and other projectiles at buildings, vehicles and police.

In Dundee, two police vehicles that were ‘out to provide a visible presence to the local community’ were damaged after being struck by bricks in the Beauly Square area in Kirkton.

In Glasgow, staff were left ‘scared for their lives’ after thugs battered each other outside a shop.

Police raced to the Premier store on Quarrywood Avenue in Barmulloch after a huge rammy broke out. After attending a bonfire in Robroyston Park, two separate groups of young people started fighting and throwing fireworks at each other.

It’s understood one person was slashed during the incident and CCTV footage showed the people throwing punches and hitting each other over the head with unlit fireworks.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said there were nine attacks on its crews during an eight-hour period on Bonfire Night, which saw crews bombarded with fireworks and bricks.

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