Please do not take your dog to any New York City event involving fireworks, whether it’s the July 4th Macy’s extravaganza or the New Year’s Eve display at midnight in Central Park.

Dogs have much more acute hearing than we humans do, and even the most serene, obedient dog may panic when confronted with the deafening blasts of fireworks. Each year such dogs slip their collars in their terror and make a run for it, leaving their loving owners heartbroken in an often-unsuccessful search for the dog’s return.

There are plenty of social events in the city that do not involve fireworks. Please be kind to yourselves and your dog and leave your dog at home for the events that do.