POCATELLO — Ever since Idaho State University’s Student Activities Board celebrated the 2016 Springfest activities week with an aerial fireworks show, Pocatello resident Bill Duncan said his now 7-year-old Rottweiler, Maggie, spends each Fourth of July and New Year’s Day holidays frantically bounding about the house like a Tasmanian devil.

Duncan acquired tranquilizers from his veterinarian for the Fourth of July celebration this year. But he has made it a personal mission to make holidays that involve fireworks more safe, sane and enjoyable for Pocatello residents and their canine companions.

“I started looking for change this last Fourth of July because I was just so frustrated,” Duncan said. “I’m not really anti-fireworks, I love fireworks. I just want them to be safe and sane within parameters. I’m not for the nine days of the no-holds-barred kind of fireworks.”

Retailers in Pocatello can officially start selling and consumers can start lighting “safe and sane” fireworks, which include fountains, sparklers and common fireworks that do not leave the ground, on June 28. But Duncan said those type of fireworks aren’t problematic for him or Maggie.

Duncan said that in addition to limiting the dates and times consumers can light fireworks, he’s interested in seeking further regulations on the sale and use of illegal fireworks that send his dog into a frenzy. These are the ones residents purchase out of state or from Indian reservations, which include firecrackers, Roman candles and mortar shells.

“From June 28 to July 6, it’s just a nightmare,” Duncan said about the lighting of illegal fireworks. “But what can be done? It’s hard to enforce and people don’t want to complain about their neighbors. Well except me, of course.”

After relaying his concerns to the Pocatello City Council in March, Duncan said the city attempted to orchestrate a study session group to investigate his concern further. But because the city was in the process of budgetary hearings, the study session was postponed.

Logan McDougall, public information officer for city of Pocatello, confirmed during a Wednesday phone interview that the city will put together a study session following this year’s celebration.

“It’s been quite the journey,” Duncan said. “I know it’s a low priority for the Police Department and I get that completely. But most people agree that the lighting of illegal fireworks has gotten out of control.”

Capt. Cliff Kelley with the Pocatello Police Department said that when officers receive complaints from neighbors regarding fireworks, they typically use discretion when issuing citations for code violations.

“We will go and talk to the neighbor and get the complaint,” Kelley said. “Obviously, if they see the fireworks as they roll up, they will go and talk to the people who are violating the code for fireworks that leave the ground or explode. If they see them in the act of lighting them off, they will cite them under a violation of city code.”

The penalty for violating the city ordinance is a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to six months in jail and or a $300 fine.

Kelley said that fireworks complaints have remained steady year after year, adding that obviously those type of calls ramp up during the week leading to the Fourth of July and for a few days after.

“Officers will use discretion when they go out to these calls, but they are well within their mandates to cite people for violations,” Kelley said.

Through conversations with his veterinarian, Duncan said that many pets experience injuries during the Fourth of July as a result of being so scared that they bolt from houses or fenced yards and end up running into various objects or out into traffic.

“I’ve probably talked with 30 people about their opinions of the fireworks and the majority of the response was people think fireworks should be limited only to the Fourth of July or should be banned completely, except for the big fireworks show,” he said.

Duncan added his feeling is that, for whatever reason, both local and state governments, don’t want to touch the issue of fireworks, even though fireworks cost taxpayers lots of money.

“Apparently there is a lot of money to be made in the sale of fireworks,” he said.

Further, Duncan said it’s not the police or fire departments fault, as they are doing all they can. It’s that those departments don’t have the support or backing to fully address the issue.

“The biggest thing that really gets me is my pets,” Duncan said. “Maggie is an 80-pound Rottweiler, she isn’t a little dog. I’m a huge pet lover and Pocatello is, too.”