Welfare Concerns Over Firework Display Cancellations

Due to rising costs, many large fireworks displays are being cancelled this year, raising concerns from the RSPCA and other welfare organisations that multiple smaller and unmanaged displays will be taking place in residential and rural areas prolonging the disturbance and distress on animals. In particular, equines are notoriously affected by the noise, especially if in close proximity, and private displays have become a real issue to horse owners and yard owners over recent years.

RSPCA Campaigns Manager Carrie Stones recently said “We’d urge people to be considerate and keep neighbours with animals, including those with nearby horses or other livestock, informed of plans well in advance so they can make preparations to reduce the stress to their animals. Equally lower-noise fireworks can make such a difference to make displays safer for everybody. Put simply, please keep animals in mind if you are planning your own display and check out our advice on our website.”

Every year there are reports of equines being injured and distressed due to fireworks displays. New RSPCA statistics show that 63% of 2,428 animal owners surveyed reported their pets appeared distressed during firework season. Research has shown that horses’ reaction to fireworks is due to the nature of the unpredictable burst of sound and light. Fear-based behaviour has been documented as running, sweating, trembling and in restricted situation (such as being stabled) kicking out. When frightened, a horse’s instinct is to run to safety. Trying to run from loud fireworks while contained in a paddock means the horse cannot find that safe place, so they are likely to keep running until either the fireworks stop or they become injured or exhausted. Running in panic like this makes horses a real danger to themselves and others. This extreme anxiousness demonstrates that the current regulations do not protect the welfare of horses and fall short of providing specific guidelines to protect them.

The British Horse Society (BHS) and the RSPCA are lobbying the Government for tighter controls and regulations around the sale and use of fireworks, and urging local authorities to introduce localised restrictions, and a recent petition calling to ban fireworks has recently passed one million signatures.

The BHS has extensive information on Fireworks and Equines, including its Fireworks Checklist.