ANIMAL lovers are being urged to have their say on the use and sale of fireworks.

The Petitions Committee has launched an inquiry into fireworks law, including the case for a ban on public sale and use.

It follows almost 750,000 people signing petitions expressing concern about fireworks through the petitions.parliament.uk website in the last three years.

One petition backed by the RSPCA has garnered more than 370,000 signatures alone.

Now the animal welfare charity is calling on people to share their views with the committee as part of its inquiry.

There are 11 open petitions calling for stricter fireworks regulations.

It is estimated that 45 per cent of dogs in the UK show signs of fear when they hear fireworks.

The RSPCA said it wants action to restrict the use to reduce the impact on animals, including pets, horses, wildlife and livestock.

In November last year, the RSPCA received 254 calls about fireworks and has already received 16 calls this year, despite it not being traditional fireworks season.

The charity said it wants to see the private use of fireworks restricted on all but four days of the year; November 5, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.

It also wants fireworks sold for private use to be no louder than 90 decibels as well as tighter restrictions on the sale of fireworks in the build-up to bonfire night and all public fireworks displays to be licensed.

Mary Stevens, campaign manager at the RSPCA, said: "This just goes to show that action taken by the public makes a difference - everyone that has signed a fireworks petition in recent years should be proud that they have got us this far.

"Now we want your views submitted to the UK Parliament’s Petition Committee so that this can help lead to legislative change and protect the many animals suffering fear and distress as a result of fireworks."

Julie Doorne, lead petitioner and fireworks campaigner, said: "After many years of highlighting public concern, I am really pleased the issue of fireworks is being taken seriously through this inquiry. I hope that everyone who has been impacted by the sporadic and unexpected use of loud fireworks, whatever changes they would like to see, share their experiences with the Petition Committee. Now that the UK Parliament is asking for our views we must use this opportunity to voice our concerns further."

Helen Jones MP, Chair of the Committee, said: “The petitions system has provided hundreds of thousands of people with a way to voice their views about fireworks.

"Through the scores of petitions we have received on this it is clear that public feeling about fireworks is very strong, and there is a real need to scrutinise the current laws.

"The Government believes the rules on fireworks are effective, but the law hasn’t been looked at for some time.

"We want to make sure the law and rules strike the right balance between respecting traditions, allowing the enjoyment of fireworks and protecting people, animals and property.”

Members of the public are being invited to share their views by 5pm on Monday, April 8, 2019.

To take part in the inquiry, visit parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/petitions-committee/news-parliament-2017/fireworks-inquiry-launch.