Is there any valid reason to take the family dog to the fireworks on the National Mall?

We went to the fireworks event on the Mall last night (or rather we stayed on the outskirts of the event behind some trees to avoid as many bumbling tourists as possible), and I had trouble even paying attention to the fireworks because some genius tourist had the brilliant idea to bring her poor dog along. Keep in mind that these fireworks are extremely loud. When the event started, this poor creature was certain he was in the middle of the Blitz. He was terrified, jumping in all directions screaming, and his owner wouldn't pet him, hold him, or comfort him in any way. I was about to grab him and take a shot at it myself. In fact she seemed annoyed by him. Some people maybe shouldn't be allowed to have pets.