Protecting your pets on July 4

Celebrating Independence Day can be a fun and inspiring experience for much of the family, but many furry members may feel differently. 

Every year Sheridan Police Department Community Service Officers pick up animals – mostly dogs – from around the city who ran away from home due to the booming sound of fireworks.

Sheridan PD CSO Ed Boone told listeners on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse that he and fellow CSO Kris Walker will spend the next few days rounding up a number of animals that ran from home due to fireworks. 

Boone and Walker suggest placing your pet in a secure location where the animal feels safe. Other suggestions include utilizing a thunder blanket – a blanket designed to tightly wrap animals – to help keep the animal calm. Providing a day of play and exercise can also help to keep the animal calm once fireworks begin at night. 

Fireworks are illegal within Sheridan City limits and much of Sheridan County. Fireworks can be used on private land with the permission of the landowner in Sheridan County.