For anyone with a dog, a horse or livestock, fireworks season can be a worry, so here is some welcome news. The government has consulted on new restrictions that would make fireworks quieter and better controlled, and the early signs are being cautiously welcomed by countryside groups.
The consultation looks at a few changes. The headline one for animal owners is a plan to cut the noise of consumer fireworks by about half. Alongside that, it would make clear that the big multi-shot fireworks are not for general public sale. It targets the loud, disruptive end of things, rather than stopping people from enjoying a responsible display.
It is the noise that does the damage. In the government’s own survey, 91% of people who disliked firework noise pointed to the effect on animals as a reason. Anyone who has sat up with a frightened dog, or settled anxious horses and stock on a November night, knows exactly why. There is a practical side too, with stray fireworks posing a real fire risk to thatch, barns, crops and grazing.
The Countryside Alliance has given the plans a cautious welcome, backing quieter fireworks and clearer rules, while making the sensible point that any measures should stay proportionate and evidence-based. Their key argument is that the real priority is proper enforcement against the illegal and antisocial use that causes most of the trouble, rather than penalising people who use fireworks responsibly. It is a fair, balanced position that most country people would recognise.
The consultation closed on 7 October 2026. The government will now publish a summary of the responses and what it plans to do. Any changes would be made through new regulations approved by Parliament, with a proposed six-month transition period before they apply. The NFU was among those who responded, backing lower noise limits and asking for specific protections for livestock and rural businesses. We’ll update this article when the government publishes its response.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk
Planning a bonfire? Have a read of Do hedgehogs hide in bonfires? before you light it. It covers how to check the pile, what to do if you find a hedgehog, and how to help your dog through the fireworks.
Whatever your view on the night itself, a few quieter evenings would be a relief to a lot of paws and hooves. How does your dog cope with fireworks season? Let us know your tips below.
Based on the government fireworks consultation and the Countryside Alliance response, September 2026.
Last updated: 27 October 2026
