Beloved young cockapoo killed by car after getting spooked by fireworks

A beloved pet dog from Cornwall has died after running off when he was spooked by fireworks. Teddy, a cockapoo, was hit by a car while trying to run away from the noise.

Alison Toy, his owner, issued an urgent plea to people to keep an eye out for her beloved boy on Wednesday, November 6. She said he "bolted" at around 8pm from their home at Highview Crescent, Blackwater, near Truro, after a loud firework was set off.

He was initially seen running down the main road and they looked everywhere for him with no luck. He was found later that evening having been hit by a car and passed away. Alison said the pain of knowing he was so scared when he died "is unbearable".

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"We had Teddy from when he was just eight weeks old," she said. "The moment we had him he was so loved by us and our four children. He was so, so friendly and gentle and loving and would never stray too far from us.

"For him to run off like he did when the firework went off, he must have been so scared. He ran so far he couldn’t find his way back home. We all spent hours looking for him and neighbours and friends were out helping us look for him. But we couldn’t get to him in time."

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"The pain of losing him knowing he was so scared is unbearable," she continued. "We are all devastated. I just wish people were more considerate and respectful of others when planning to set off fireworks."

Teddy's death comes amid annual calls for people to be more thoughtful when having their own displays and for the Government to make changes to fireworks regulations to protect pets and wildlife.

Several dogs have been reported as having escaped or run off due to the noises in Cornwall alone in recent days. Many believe only licenced displays should be allowed to go ahead and that people shouldn't be allowed to hold their own whenever they fancy, while others think the traditional should be able to continue as it has done for more than four centuries.

In 2023 the RSPCA launched a campaign urging the Government to urgently review firework laws to protect animals from the pain and suffering caused by fireworks. The RSPCA has also said that central and local governments should consider using firework control zones to protect animals.

It says cats and dogs have hearing that is far more sensitive to that of humans in both frequency and volume and causes further distress. The animal charity said: "Animals such as dogs and horses can suffer from tinnitus, hearing loss and long-term hearing damage caused by fireworks, as well as experiencing stress and fear. Similarly, livestock such as horses often try to escape the bangs out of fear, sometimes injuring themselves in the process."

Posts on Dog Lost Cornwall UK appear to have increased in recent days too. Monty, a beloved labrador from Scorrier, was one of those spooked. He disappeared from his garden after hearing a loud firework on November 3.

He was missing for three and a half hours but fortunately also found safe and well. Another pet owner feared the worst as her dog too bolted with its lead snapping. Fortunately, they were reunited with their beloved pooch a short while later.

For advice on how to keep your pets calm and safe during fireworks season, visit the Blue Cross website. The RSPCA also has useful advice and tips.

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