Flintshire: Heartbreak as dog 'scared to death' by fireworks

Maxine Williams, landlady of the Crown and Liver in Ewloe, believes firework displays should be restricted to save other people and their pets from going through similar heartache and trauma. 

Maxine's rescue dog, Bronson was found dead in a ditch two days after he bolted during a firework display.

“I can’t tell you how much Bronson’s death has broken my heart,” said Maxine. 

“He was everything to me. He lived like a lord but he was kind and gentle. People who met him always said how special he was.”

Bronson was rescued from Cyprus after being abandoned as a puppy. Left to wander, he was set to be put down at a kill centre. He was saved by Cyprus Pride House, a rescue charity.

Six years ago, Maxine adopted Bronson as a companion dog for her Yorkshire Terrier. 

Maxine paid £350 for the flight and drove down to Heathrow to collect him off the plane. Before long, Maxine and Bronson, a pure-bred Segugio Italiano, were inseparable. 

Bronson (Image: Maxine Williams)

”He was a beautiful dog and everyone loved him,” Maxine said. “He wasn’t a licky dog, he didn’t crave affection, but he was loyal and he had a personality people just seemed to like.”

But like many animals, Bronson was terrified by fireworks.

“He’d tremble from head to toe and I’d have to support him through the evening," Maxine said.

READ MORE: Horse found impaled on fence in Holywell field after being 'spooked by fireworks'

This year, Maxine booked Bonfire Night off to be with Bronson at their Sandycroft home, and worked in the pub on the Friday. 

“That night I arrived home (Friday, November 4) the patio door was open,” she said. “Bronson was nowhere to be seen and I thought someone might have taken him.”

Bronson (Image: Maxine Williams)

With the help of neighbours and witnesses, Maxine was able to piece together what had happened. She discovered that a local fireworks display had spooked Bronson. He is thought to have opened a lounge door, pressed down the patio door handle and leapt over a garden fence.

People had seen him running along the B5129 road towards the Airbus plant. Motorists tried to stop and catch him, but Bronson disappeared into the night.

READ MORE: North Wales authorities join fight to protect animals from fireworks

Maxine posted an appeal on Facebook, which received hundreds of shares. But she had the sinking feeling that something awful had happened.

“I wanted to believe but I had this feeling he was already gone," she said. 

The call she was dreading came the next morning. Bronson had been found in a ditch between Penyffordd and Dobshill five miles away. He appeared to have been hit by a car.

"He had been scared to death by fireworks," Maxine said.

"I was so upset I couldn’t go to work for two days. I just couldn’t cope.

“People who don’t have dogs perhaps don’t realise the bond owners can have with them. I’ve always had dogs but he was just special. He was my baby.

“My Yorkshire Terrier died earlier this year. I was upset but she was aged 17 and I could deal with that - this was different.”

Maxine's grandchildren with Bronson. (Image: Maxine Williams)

Maxine is looking for tighter controls on who can buy fireworks and for displays to be kept to organised events.

"Fireworks now start weeks before November 5 and often continue for days afterwards," she said.

"If they went off just one night, at least owners of affected dogs would know when to be available to give them support.”

She added: “What did help me was the kindness of friends, neighbours and strangers who looked for Bronson and sent messages of support. The lady who found him was lovely and everyone has been so fabulous. I’d like to thank them all.”