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An RSPCA inspector who was left shaken up after a firework exploded less than a metre from her face while rescuing kittens is calling for tougher restrictions on at-home displays.
Rosie Russon was heading back to her car after collecting two tiny kittens – now named Tiny Tim and Nancy – who were being looked after in Boxley Close near Maidstone after a member of the public found them abandoned.
Miss Russon captured the bang on camera
The 49-year-old said: "There was a display going on nearby and as I approached my car there was a lull and then a huge firework went off literally half a metre from my face.
"It was a humongous bang, louder than a banger. I physically jolted, it moved me off the floor and I was pretty shaken by it.
"I have had tinnitus and a slight deafness in my ear since then, it's improving thankfully but I was concerned it might have burst the kittens ear drums.
"They seem to be doing fine at the moment but only time will tell."
The incident happened Saturday, November 7 when the incident happened around 7pm
It’s not known whether the firework was a misfire from the nearby display or had been thrown directly at Rosie as she tried to help the two-week-old cats.
Miss Russon who has worked for the RSPCA for 22 years said: "I didn't see anyone in my proximity so I hope it was a misfire.
"I won't let it bother me but I am going to be much more wary if there are fireworks being triggered around me.
"In an ideal world we would say don't have fireworks displays at home, for your own health and safety, and for the animals welfare but that's not possible this year.
"There has been a huge increase in people having their own displays because of the virus and it is putting everyone's pets on edge."
Between October 26 and November 9, nationally the charity received 82 calls related to animals and fireworks.
As well as Miss Russon's near miss, a shocking number of deliberate attacks on animals were reported along with incidents where animals have died as a result of being spooked or frightened.
Last week at least four cases were reported to the charity involving cats who died after the explosives were strapped to their bodies and lit.
With private displays expected to continue throughout Diwali, Christmas and New Year, the RSPCA has launched its 'Bang Out of Order campaign', which hopes to bring in tighter controls around the sale of fireworks.
It is calling for them to be restricted to agreed traditional dates, and to limit noise by reducing the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks for public sale from 120, to 90 decibels.
RSPCA animal welfare expert Dr Mark Kennedy said: “Fireworks are extremely stressful and frightening for many animals.
"Around 62% of dogs, 55% of horses and 54% of cats in the UK show signs of anxiety when they hear fireworks.
“All too often we hear heartbreaking stories of animals who seriously injure themselves in a blind panic after being spooked by fireworks.
"Perhaps even more shockingly, we seem to be seeing more incidents reported to our inspectors of animals being deliberately targeted and injured using fireworks.
"Enough is enough; we need tighter controls over the sale and use of these potentially lethal explosives.”
