More than 360 horses are known to have been killed or injured in fireworks-related incidents since 2010?
A new infographic from the Fireworks Working Group reveals many more of the unintended outcomes that fireworks displays can have on people, animals, wildlife and the environment.
The Fireworks Working Group is a collaboration of charities representing people and animals who are asking Westminster to review and update current firework regulations so we can start to reduce these sobering statistics.
A new report, (PDF 652 KB) published and released by Redwings Horse Sanctuary on Thursday 23rd May, says the Animal Welfare Act does not offer recourse or protection for pets or livestock caused to suffer because of firework displays, and the assertion by Ministers that it does is an ‘illusion’.
The group of highly experienced individuals included barristers, veterinary surgeons, police officers, local authority inspectors and animal welfare professionals, all with extensive experience of animal welfare cases and relevant legislation.
With no precedent of the Animal Welfare Act being used in situations where an animal has been killed or injured, the roundtable discussed whether or not the Act could realistically be used to hold someone to account in such cases. The group concluded unanimously that it could not.
1,468 incidents involving horses and fireworks were recorded in the UK between 1st November 2010 and 19th March 2024 (an average of more than 100 a year). These include 49 horse fatalities, 317 horse injuries and 84 people injured during a situation involving horses and fireworks. Incidents are known to be significantly underreported, meaning the true figure will be much higher. Sixty four percent of cat owners who have witnessed their cat experience fireworks say that their pet expresses at least one sign of stress. Forty one percent of dog owners say their dog is afraid of fireworks. That’s over four million dogs.
Head over to the Redwings website to read the full story and more on the report. Link to Redwings.
