Increased calls to ‘ban the boom’
With fireworks season just days away, Rodney’s rural community is bracing itself for the accompanying death toll.
It’s a yearly dread Dairy Flat resident Alice Hayward knows better than most.
In 2013, the veterinary nurse had to euthanise her horse Lucas, after he panicked and impaled himself on a fence during a fireworks display.
The freak accident was by no means isolated, however, as each year sees horses and other livestock, dogs, cats and other small animals injured or killed as a result of fireworks.
‘‘We have to deal with the gore of these injuries. The people that let the fireworks off get to sleep the night [through],’’ she said.
Tired of the annual havoc, Hayward created Ban the Boom, a website and Facebook page advocating tighter regulations on fireworks.
It’s become a community for animal owners, who keep one another informed on upcoming displays. It has also allowed Hayward to keep a record of incidents shared on the Facebook page.
Hayward doesn’t want to spoil the fun, but wants to see more common sense.
‘‘It’d be nice for neighbours to notify their road and immediate neighbours - especially those with farm animals and horses - if they’re doing fireworks outside of Guy Fawkes night,’’ she said.
‘‘We’re not evil people - we understand.’’
Dairy Flat horse owner Alix Campbell says the problem has worsened as more people move to the country.
She is forced to have the farm ‘‘on lockdown’’ during fireworks season, staying up to watch the animals and sedating some of the dogs and horses.
Puhoi Volunteer Rural Fire Force chief Russell Green says frightened animals are a ‘‘big issue’’ around Guy Fawkes.
The force will be on ‘‘heightened alert’’ on Sunday night, but Green says the majority of people are sensible.
He reminds those celebrating to keep bonfires safe, watch out for embers in the wind, and keep driveways clear enough for fire engines.
Hayward is circulating a paper petition for tighter firework regulations at vet clinics.
A Rodney Times Neighbourly poll revealed 61 per cent of 49 responders want fireworks banned.