END MISERY OF FIREWORKS

THE last few weeks have been unduly distressing to many of us living in Rossendale (and many areas up and down the country) due to the firework plague that causes such immeasurable harm.

Celebrating November the 5th is never that, but starts as soon as fireworks are on sale and persists long after that date.

Fireworks in the hands of senseless, uncaring people are not only traumatising animals and people alike but are also causing the death of so many innocent animals.

Horses suffer terribly from the loud unexpected bangs and sadly many, up and down the country, have had to be euthanized due to injuries incurred due to panicking both in and out of their stables.

Many birds and wild animals die from the shock of the bangs and even puppies have been reported as dying from shock.

It is illegal to set off fireworks that cause unnecessary suffering to any captive or domestic animal (Animal Welfare Act 2006).

Fireworks must not be set off near livestock or horses in fields or close to buildings that house livestock.

The offence carries a fine of up to £20,000 and /or a prison term.

Police in Longton are seeking information on an incident where a banger was attached to a hedgehog’s head.

Can you imagine what this innocent almost endangered small mammal must have suffered.

Yet another hedgehog was found trying to escape from the middle of a burning bonfire. Both hogs paid with their life.

The intentional and unintentional cruelty goes on and on.

What are we celebrating? The festival of burning a man to death on a fire is horrific!

The introduction of children to fires and fireworks has no sound motives. Fire burns, fireworks damage!

The only message we can give to children is to keep away from them.

In some Italian villages fireworks have to be silent so as not to distress animals.

Dubai celebrate with laser lights; Sainsbury’s have forfeited profit for ethics and have ceased to sell fireworks; Asda claims to sell quiet fireworks whilst Tesco not only sells them but sold off all their ‘left-overs’ cheaply after the 5th resulting in yet another weekend of horror.

Many thousands of people have signed petitions to ask for the banning of sales of fireworks to the public.

Nothing justifies the suffering that fireworks bring to so many.

Fireworks and fires pollute the environment, and burning wet wood releases magnified amounts of CO2.

Fireworks are produced using child labour and are filled with toxins many of which are carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting chemicals.

It is not about being a killjoy.

Fireworks get bigger and louder every year and the festival is a far cry from what it was originally.

The only winners are those who make financial gain at our expense.

Please councillors, police and the next member of parliament for Rossendale do something to tackle the horrors of unregulated firework sales and let us end this unnecessary misery and suffering. Marie-Louise Charlton B.A.(Hons) M.Ed. A.C.P. Holcombe Road, Helmshore