Two Guernsey animal charities call for a limit on fireworks displays

Wednesday, 8 January 2025 09:40

Guernsey Lost Pets and Paws Protection say they have evidence of a barn owl being killed, horses bolting and dogs and cats needing to be sedated as fireworks parties are now stretching past mid-November.

A States website page listing private fireworks displays shows they carried on well beyond Bonfire Night on 5 November, until 16 November 2024.

Sue Vidamour from Guernsey Lost Pets says she does not want to spoil peoples' fun, but says animals - both domestic and wild - are terrified by loud fireworks, and some have died:

"We do know for a fact that a barn owl flew over a fireworks display and the next day, in the same field, the barn owl was found dead. In my book that's one death too many, because they're already struggling."

"We saw horses careering around fields, with a display in the next field. The owners were totally unaware that this was going to happen. Horses can break a leg, as when(they are) terrified they can crash through fences."

Sue says she and Stephanie Stefani from Paws Protection have met with the States' vet and the Environment and Infrastructure Committee and says it was positive.

Sue says it feels November is turning into 'fireworks month':

"The idea is not to ban fireworks but to encourage people to go to public displays. If we could have two or three public displays on Bonfire Night, that would be great. Because you can't sedate an animal every single night for half a month."

"We're looking at silent fireworks, which are low noise, not silent."

Sue says Steph Stefani is also looking at what would be involved in changing the legislation around fireworks, but that is a long term goal.