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Resident urges council to move fireworks away from animal shelter
Summary
A resident asked the council to relocate the July 4 fireworks display away from the Furry Friends animal refuge, citing animal distress and staff burden; council thanked the speaker but made no formal directive at the meeting.
Angela Allen of 6255 Beech Tree Drive addressed the West Des Moines City Council during Citizens Forum on July 7 to urge the city to relocate its July 4 fireworks display away from the Furry Friends animal refuge.
Allen said the city’s current fireworks location sits only a few hundred feet from the refuge and causes “severe distress” to animals she described as previously traumatized, and to shelter workers. She said the community has assisted in past years by fostering animals on the holiday, but asked the city to consider alternate venues such as Rex Plaisance (Rex Platz referenced by speaker) to avoid harming animals while preserving public celebration.
Mayor asked whether Allen worked at Furry Friends; she said she did not, identifying herself as a citizen. The council thanked Allen for speaking; no council action, motion or direction to staff was recorded on the item during the meeting.
Allen’s remarks were the only citizens‑forum item recorded in the chamber that evening on animal welfare and fireworks location.
