EXCL: Bishopbriggs woman warns about fireworks after her dog was injured

A woman in Bishopbriggs whose dog was injured by a firework says she's nervous to go on walks now.

Sharon Spinelli, 53, was taking her Labrador Millie through Bishopbriggs Park over the September weekend, when she came across a crowd of around 60 young boys throwing fireworks around.

Sharon told Clyde 1: "It all happened very quickly. I saw a spark on the ground and a young boy then running away from the area. Millie was very upset and very frightened."

Sharon's husband later noticed some marks on Millie's neck, which he initially thought was a type of oil.

"He leaned down and rubbed it, and it was actually singed fur," Sharon added. "We realised she had actually been hit by the firework. It could very easily have penetrated through the skin, or taken her eye out, or given her a heart attack. She's 12 years old."

Sharon recounted the experience, saying it was a terrifying experience that's left her nervous to go on walks with Millie now.

"It was very intimidating, all of these children. It was liked a planned organised gathering. It was very frightening."

Police Scotland and emergency services have been ramping up their operations in the run up to Bonfire Night, and are warning anyone engaged in anti-social or dangerous behaviour will face the consequences.

Their annual Operation Moonbeam came into effect last Wednesday (October 28), specifically aimed at clamping down on firework-related disorder.

Sharon says she wants to see more action taken, however. "I believed it should only be controlled firework displays, preferably silent. I don't think any shops should be selling fireworks, they should be banned completely."

Four firework control zones are now operating in Broomhouse, Govanhill and Pollokshields, Pollok, and Glasgow Harbour Terrace. This means between October 30 and November 9, it is illegal for anyone to set off a firework within these areas.

There is currently no plans for a firework control zone to cover East Dunbartonshire, although Sharon says she would welcome this.

"They're going off at 10 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon. You just don't know when they're going to go off."

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