BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is reminding everyone that celebratory gunfire is illegal in Florida. And it’s dangerous. Bullets fired skyward have to come down somewhere, and PBSO says stray rounds have caused serious injuries and deaths in past years.
Anyone who hears gunfire in their neighborhood this weekend is asked to call PBSO at 561-688-3400, dial 911, or send a text to 911. Deputies say reports help them respond quickly and hold people accountable before anyone gets hurt.
PBSO is also reminding residents that the same fireworks that light up the sky can seriously harm animals. Every year, fireworks send thousands of people and animals to emergency rooms and veterinary clinics, and can even prove fatal, deputies say.
PBSO’s advice starts at home. Pets should be kept indoors in a quiet, secure space where they feel safe well before the first firework goes off. For anyone with horses, cattle, or other livestock, now is the time to walk pastures, barns, and stalls looking for hazards, and to double-check that every fence line, gate, and door latch is secure enough to keep a spooked animal from bolting. PBSO also suggests calling a veterinarian ahead of the holiday to ask whether a sedative makes sense for pets or livestock known to panic at loud noises.
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