News
Councilwoman Kell Recalls Harley, Dog Frightened By Illegal Fireworks Bolted Into Bellflower Blvd. And Was Killed Last Year, Reminds Pet Owners To Safeguard Their Pets During Holiday Weekend
(July 2, 2003) -- Recalling a dog so frightened by illegal fireworks that she bolted into busy Bellflower Blvd. last year and was killed (a story reported by LBReport.com), 5th district Councilwoman Jackie Kell has urged pet owners to safeguard their pets during the coming holiday weekend. .
Speaking during the July 1 City Council meeting when Councilmembers make community announcements, Councilwoman Kell said:
I would like to remind people that they need to take greater care of their pets over the next weekend, or even the whole week perhaps. Last year, some illegal fireworks were set off in a 5th district neighborhood and the noise so frightened a dog named Harley that she escaped her backyard, ran out into Bellflower Blvd. and was killed by a passing car.
Now as you know, fireworks are illegal in the city of Long Beach, but with this three day weekend, there will be fireworks going off...
We have two cats that we're going to keep in during the fireworks period...
We post below excerpts of LBReport.com's July 2002 story on Harley:
(July 13, 2002) -- ...Harley was...enjoying a dog's life with her masters in the well kept ELB neighborhood. But on July 4th, someone set off illegal fireworks near [her] home and the noise so frightened Harley that she somehow managed to escape from her backyard. Harley ran and ran, trying to avoid the noise (alarming to a dog's sensitive ears). She got to Bellflower Blvd and kept going...straight into the busy street. Shortly after 9 p.m., she was struck and killed, apparently instantly, by a passing car.
When [Harley's owners] arrived home a little later, they were absolutely devastated, but found some solace on learning that neighbors and some workers at the nearby 24 Hours Fitness Center did everything they could to save Harley's life.
As a show of gratitude, and to warn others of what can happen when animals experience nearby fireworks, [Harley's owners] created a small, temporary but heartfelt shrine on the service road parkway on the east side of Bellflower Blvd. near Pageantry St.
[They hope] their remembrance of Harley will remind pet owners to keep their friends indoors and well secured on holidays, especially when there's a chance illegal fireworks might be set off.
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