Editor,

The Fourth of July once consisted of a couple nights of mostly popping sounds and sparkle, but this year it devolved into the island under siege of munitions-grade explosions. I heard from longtime residents that it is definitely different than it used to be.

Authorized firework detonation lasted seven days. Starting June 29 and lasting through July 5, setting off fireworks was legal for as many as 14 hours a day, although people set them off until 2 a.m. in some cases. Both legal and illegally modified fireworks were shot off on both private and public lands.

The impacts caused distress to many pet owners and their pets, not to mention pet owners who are also combat veterans like my husband. Impacts on wildlife are unclear, but it would be hard to imagine there are none.

Here at the Whidbey Animal Guild, we received emails from anxious, depressed, angry and hopeless people as the days and nights passed. This goes well beyond pet welfare, and these are not “celebratory” feelings.

Neighboring communities have banned fireworks, so their citizens apparently come over here to buy fireworks and set them off on public property. The whole situation needs to be seriously analyzed.

If the county does not have the resources to establish regulations that can actually be enforced, then people will continue to call for outright bans.

Other communities have complaint hotlines, strictly regulate the types of fireworks permitted and who can sell them, require sellers to provide handouts to customers detailing all regulations and approved hours of detonation, require adult supervision of minors, and impose fines of up to $1,000 for violations.

What does Island County really do?

WAG proposed establishment of a fireworks task force to examine the situation. We invite interested parties to contact us so we can come together in the best interest of all sentient beings here.

Barbara Moran

Whidbey Animal Guild

Clinton