As Halloween and Bonfire Night approach, spare a thought for the animals and birds who may be terrified by the crashes and flashes.

Traumatised dogs are rushed to vets for emergency treatment, sheep spontaneously abort, horses gallop into fences and rabbits have been known to die from shock.

Animal Aid believes that – for the sake of all animals – fireworks should be sold only to organisers of public events and not to people wishing to set them off in gardens or the street.

A ban on sales to the public would also prevent the cruelties reported of vicious individuals harming animals with fireworks.

We can minimise the impact by keeping cats and dogs indoors and bringing rabbits and guinea pigs inside (or at least covering their home with a thick blanket to muffle the noise).

Also, check hedgehogs and other animals have not made a home in your bonfire before you light it.

Kate Fowler, Animal Aid Bradford Street, Tonbridge