A BOURNEMOUTH dog owner is calling for fireworks to be restricted to bonfire night only after her dog was reduced to “a quivering mass of jelly”.

Nicky Smith, 58, of Shakespeare Road, Iford, told the Daily Echo that her animals spend two weeks in terror every year around the Bonfire season being terrified by loud bangs.

She also called for supermarkets to be banned from selling fireworks and for residents within a two-mile radius to be informed about public firework displays.

She added: “My flat-coated retriever Heidi is a quivering mass of jelly.

“I have to go to the vets to get her tablets that virtually knock her out for two weeks.”

Meanwhile residents in Corfe Mullen are up in arms after a party in a front garden in Diprose Way let off rockets at 10.40pm on Saturday.

Byron Kimber, a 64-year-old security officer, and wife Margaret were looking after Lily, a five-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier for a friend, and the dog was terrified.

“I’ve nothing against fireworks on bonfire night but it’s too early,” he said.

He added: “As I walked up the road there were several other animals barking.”

Dorset Police said they received calls about the noise and sent two officers at 11pm, but the fireworks had stopped.

Sean Whitney, an environmental health officer at East Dorset District Council, said anyone concerned about late night fireworks should contact the police.

“The general advice would be if you are having fireworks try to restrict them much closer to bonfire night and certainly it would be neighbourly to at least let your immediate neighbours know within a reasonable distance and have them not too late at night.

Helen Griffiths, who runs Dorset Animal Workers Group (DAWG), which re-homes unwanted dogs, said people should only be allowed to let off fireworks on bonfire night.

She added: “There is absolutely no reason for fireworks to be as loud as they are.

“I have heard that they can be made silent but you still get the colour and sparkle.

“I don’t know why firework companies don’t do that.

“I like fireworks myself. They are beautiful.

“But they are a major trauma to animals.”