Hunstanton Town Council hears of problems ‘fun snaps’ are causing dogs

A dog owner says there is “absolutely nothing fun” about novelty fireworks being used by town youngsters which are leaving her pet “traumatised”.

At Hunstanton Town Council’s meeting last week, councillors heard from a member of the public about ‘fun snaps’ being sold at a joke shop in the town.

The woman, who the Lynn News agreed to keep anonymous, claimed these are being consistently sold to children under 16 despite this being forbidden as they are legally classed as fireworks.

She said they have an “explosive component”, are wrapped in paper, and come in packets containing 50 snaps.

“I am here because of the distress they have caused my small rescue dog,” she said.

Two years ago, according to the woman, a group of youngsters threw several of the snaps in front of her pet.

The beloved pet went into “complete meltdown”, and ever since it has remained “traumatised” and continued to suffer “significant issues”.

It is now unable to even walk into Hunstanton town centre out of fear.

“It breaks my heart to know that he may have went through that in his early months,” the woman said.

“I challenge anyone who I see throwing the snaps.

“My dog doesn’t have a voice, nor do any other dogs in the town, but I do.

“These boxes say ‘fun snaps’. There is absolutely nothing fun about this.”

The woman said that Cllr Paul Beal, who represents Hunstanton on West Norfolk Council, sells the snaps as the joke shop owner. The Lynn News has contacted Cllr Beal for comment.

She also claimed that she has witnessed teenagers throwing the explosives in front of an elderly woman - but that she did not realise she had been “deliberately targeted”.

Cllr Michael Ruston, Hunstanton’s mayor, said the woman has given him “something to think about”.

However, he added that the town council has little power to make any sort of ruling on the matter - and suggested appealing to Cllr Beal’s “public sense of duty”.

“There is a matter to be confronted, and thank you for bringing it to our attention,” Cllr Ruston said.

Cllr Mark Fuchter suggested involving the police in the matter, while Cllr Maureen Howard said her dog once slipped out of its lead and ran across the road when it heard one of the snaps go off.

Cllr Wendy Croucher argued that the products could have an adverse impact on people who suffer with disabilities.

“I can’t say that they would make me die of fright, but then again I’m not partially sighted,” she said.