Warning: This article contains details which may disturb some people.
Pet owners around the world are calling for a ban on the public sale of fireworks, after two women shared heartbreaking stories of their pets dying of shock.
In the UK, a terrier puppy aged 18 months died of a heart attack at the weekend after becoming frightened by the fireworks, while a one-year-old rabbit "died of fright".
Donna Pilgrim posted a video of her distressed rabbit Archie in a local rabbit sanctuary Facebook page. Pilgrim said she was angry and upset.
"He was happily eating his supper this evening (Sunday local time) at 5:30, then the fireworks started," she wrote.
"Now [he] won't stop shaking."
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She confirmed in a comment the next day Archie was "no longer with us".
"Well thank you very much I hope the money you spent for a few seconds of horrible noise was worth it.
"Let's keep fighting to get fireworks banned for the welfare of all animals."
In a separate incident, Susan Paterson wrote in Facebook group Wombwell Wise that her 18-week-old puppy Molly, had died of fright due to fireworks.
"We lost a young terrier with a heart attack," she said.
Meanwhile more than 300,000 people throughout the UK have signed a petition seeking to ban the retail sale of fireworks.
Back home, a New Zealand SPCA spokeswoman told Newshub the organisation has heard countless stories of terrified animals, some of which have gone missing, due to fireworks.
"Thankfully, there has only been one animal welfare complaint reported to SPCA's Inspectorate, where a dog was left tied up in the backyard where the family was letting off fireworks.
"The dog was heard barking and crying by a neighbour, who called SPCA.
"Our inspectors are looking into this case."
The SPCA is pleased there had been not acts of intentional cruelty or abuse in relation to fireworks reported at this stage, the spokeswoman said.
"SPCA does not support the private sale and use of fireworks and has long called for a ban on the sale of fireworks to the public."
Newshub.
