Cape Coral family shares fireworks warning after searching for dog

CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Holiday fireworks in the area are causing concern for some families as the loud noises can cause stress or, in some cases, trigger a family pet to run away.

This issue has been highlighted by a local shelter and a family who spent days searching for their lost dog. Jessica Koch says her mini black-and-tan long-haired dachshund, which went missing last Friday near Coronado Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard in Cape Coral.

"We've talked to all the neighbors, looking through cameras. No one has seen her, so we're kind of suspecting maybe someone picked her up," said Koch.

Koch recounted the moment before her dog, Boca, went missing. "I let the two dogs in the backyard just to go to the bathroom, and only one came back," said Koch. "I did not think it was an option for her to escape from our backyard. It's a fenced-in yard, but apparently, dogs really get afraid of fireworks, and it's a chance that they can run."

This scenario is all too common for facilities like the Cape Coral Animal Shelter. "Every time there's fireworks, whether it's Fourth of July or New Year's Eve or any celebration where there's fireworks, we absolutely see an uptick in the amount of stray dogs that are brought to us," said Liz McCauley,

Executive Director of the shelter. With New Year's Eve and Day being two of the days fireworks are legal in Florida, McCauley offers advice to pet owners.

"Stay with them. Keep them inside. Keep them calm. I know I turn the music up and TV up for my dogs too, because they're very scared of it as well. And keeping them, you know, distracted, maybe giving them some extra treats, some extra attention, just to try to keep them calm," said McCauley. For Koch, the noise may have faded, but the worry has not.

Sadly, after Koch's story aired on WINK News, she says she learned Boca was struck by a vehicle and did not survive.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office reminds the public that fireworks are only legal without a permit on Dec. 31, Jan. 1, and July 4.