Fireworks incidents involving horses up as charities call for law change -

MPs have been invited to an event to discuss changes to fireworks regulations. — Library image.

(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

More firework-related incidents were reported to the British Horse Society last year than in 2019, as welfare charities call for a change in the law.

Concerns were raised last year that owing to the pandemic and public displays being cancelled, more people would hold displays at home. BHS statistics show that 193 firework-related incidents were reported last year, compared to 117 in 2019. 56 incidents have been reported so far in 2021. Since 2015, 22 horses have died and 197 have been injured in firework-related incidents.

In Scotland new laws came into force in June restricting the times of day fireworks can be bought and let off, and the volume that can be sold to the public. The Scottish Government also held a consultation this summer on proposed further legislation including conditions at point of sale and no-firework zones (news, 28 June). As H&H went to press the results of the consultation had not been published.

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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.

Firework incidents involving horses up as charities call for law change

“With only one in 10 incidents estimated to be reported, these numbers could be much higher,” said BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox.

Mr Hiscox added that the society urges anyone planning to set off fireworks to attend a display instead. He said for horse owners it is important to be aware of displays nearby and to let organisers know the location of horses.

“You can inform them of the challenges horses and other animals face and ask if there are any extra precautions they can take to ensure the animals’ safety, such as low-noise fireworks,” he said.

“We urge that England and Wales follow suit with these controls [proposed by the Scottish Government] to ensure that firework displays are well organised, well controlled and animals are kept out of danger.”

“I ask owners to please report incidents to this site and to BHS as well,” said RSPCA equine welfare expert Mark Kennedy. “We have also written to councils across the country to provide a toolkit to raise awareness of animal welfare during this time of year.”

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