Pets on the Lam After Holiday Fireworks

Pets on the Lam After Holiday Fireworks
AP
Posted: 2007-07-07 12:08:35
Filed Under: Weird News
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 7) - Animal welfare officials are looking for pets that ran away this week after they were spooked by Independence Day fireworks displays.

Since Wednesday, there have been 13 runaways reported in Wake County and more were expected, Mondy Lamb of the Wake County chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Thursday.

Animals generally escape because they aren't properly confined.

"Animals don't know where big booms are coming from," said Lamb. "They just hear loud noises and need to run away from it."

Reports of animals that ran because of fireworks also have come from Durham and Johnston counties. Last year, Johnston had a couple of hundred reports after July 4 and so far this year there have been about two dozens calls, said animal services Director Ernie Wilkinson.

Officials at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Shelter said 12 dogs were brought in as of Thursday and three were reclaimed by owners who said they ran during fireworks, said Melissa Knicely-Berry.