WITH bonfire night just under a month away, pet owners are calling for displays to use silent fireworks.

Taking place on November 5, skies across the area will once again light up with bonfires and fireworks.

But now animal lovers are questioning whether silent fireworks should be used to protect their pets.

The annual Cirencester fireworks display is Cirencester Round Table’s largest fundraising event.

It is the town's most spectacular firework display, lasting 25 minutes long, with several thousands of people in attendance.

However, some residents have took to social media to ask whether the display could use silent fireworks to protect their pets.

When the question was put forward on Facebook, one user said: "Yes please my dogs is petrified and has to be sedated every time.

Another used said: "Not just for the sake of pets but also for the sake of those suffering from illnesses such as PTSD, especially service personnel/veterans."

Former Cirencester Round Table chairman and current member Adam Baggs accepts it is an important issue.

He said: "We do appreciate pet owners and how important it is too look after pets as well as those individuals affect by the noise.  But it is not something we can consider at this late stage for this year.

"As a local charitable organisation, where all the proceeds go to good causes it is vital we maximise the event and make it as popular as possible, which is going to mean there are a few bangs and whistles to meet the expectations of our audience, which is huge.  Every year we welcome more than 3,000 people to the event from across the region, who recognise it is one of the best events of its kind.

"Each autumn we get asked for something different, from silent fireworks to laser displays but it simply isn’t always possible.  We do look to make improvements but we work on a very limited budget and have big expectations to meet, which is why we use one of the UK’s top fireworks display teams – Firework Effects.  They do us a fantastic deal and we are delighted they have partnered with us for so many years.

"Ultimately, the fireworks event is put on by a membership organisation of 15 locals, volunteering in their spare time.  We are lucky to be supported by a variety of other organisations, in particular Rotary, without which we couldn’t put the display on.  We do honestly take on board the feedback and will continue to make the event as family and pet friendly as possible whilst delivering in our desire to once again raise over £20,000 – all of which will go back to the community.”

Members of the public are reminded that the Animal Welfare Act 2006 states that: “It is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any captive or domestic animal and that fireworks must not be set off near livestock and horses in fields, or close to buildings that house livestock.”

To do so is an offence which carries a fine of up to £20,000 and/or a prison term of up to six months.

Cirencester Round Table fireworks display takes place on November 3, at Victoria Road Playing Fields.

For more information and to buy tickets, go to bit.ly/2MOJX4p.

What do you think, should displays on bonfire night use silent fireworks? Take our poll below: