Over 1,000 Bristol Residents Urge Mayor to Switch to Silent Fireworks
In the run-up to Bonfire Night, over 1,000 PETA supporters signed a petition urging Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees to switch to silent fireworks for the city’s annual display. Conventional fireworks can be terrifying to dogs, cats, and other animals, who don’t understand that the explosions are for entertainment and not signs of danger.
Rescue centres often see an increase in the number of lost animals following these displays. Many of them arrive with bloody paws, broken bones, and other injuries after climbing over fences, breaking loose from leads, or even jumping through glass windows in their panicked attempts to escape the noise. This October, a horse in Harlow, Essex, had to be euthanised after seriously injuring herself during a fireworks display.
It’s not just companion animals who get scared by loud fireworks – wild animals such as deer can also panic and run onto roads, potentially resulting in deadly collisions. Birds have also been known to react to the blasts by flying into chimneys, houses, and trees and even abandoning their nests and young.
Conventional fireworks can also be harmful to humans, as many people – including children, the elderly, and individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder – are highly sensitive to noise and may be deeply disturbed by the explosions.
What You Can Do
With Halloween and Bonfire Night behind us, Christmas is fast approaching. Sadly, many animals suffer during this festive period, too, as penguins, reindeer, and other wild animals are used in grottos and winter-wonderland attractions. Please visit our action page to find out how you can help them.
