Reality of fireworks

cremedemonthe

cremedemonthe

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Was Caterham on the Hill, Surrey now Wales
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Some may know one of the deciding factors as to why I moved lock stock and barrel 250 miles from Caterham on the Hill in Surrey to very rural West Wales was because of the contstant threat of fireworks going off night and day ALL the year round, not just this time of year.
One of my dogs is noise phobic, tried all the de sensitising , tablets and everything else, nothing worked in the end as they were so loud.
I lost poultry over excessive use of loud fireworks too.

Some of my customers had real problems with their horses around this time of year because of the noise.
I have signed every petition going for all the good it did, along came the Animal Welfare Act 2006 designed to protect livestock, yet to date I don't think anyone had been prosecuted but could be wrong on that
How can horse owners and livestock owners win when you have incidents like this and this isn't a one off, seeing this all the time now as well as people's dog's dying from fright.
Any legal people on here who can offer suggestions to help this poor lady, she's in one of my groups, not asking for anyone to get involved just factual legal suggestions that's all.




fireworks.jpg

Oz
 
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Sorry, I can't really help as I'm not a legal bod, but I had to respond.

It might be worth lobbying your local MP on this. With the general election looming, all the MP's will be scrabbling to get in everyone's good books to get their vote.
That is truly dreadful - I really feel for this poor lady and her horses. Once again, the police were next to useless, and the perpetrators get away with their shocking behaviour. The victims never seem to get justice these days, and I for one think it is absolutely disgusting!:mad:

Please send my good wishes to this lady, and I hope her horses recover from this too.
 
EKW said:
Surely she can press charges for assault in the very least!?! Unless of course the police will still play the 8-1 card to save on paperwork! Nothing surprises me these days.
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If she was on their property and had been asked to leave they will argue it was reasonable force to remove her from their premesis... 8 against 1 will win so there will be no
Prosecution, one might imagine.

As far as the fireworks they are legal at the moment - especially arguable this week . It is only the sale of fireworks that is banned outside certain times of year... not the use of them from
The law I have seen
 
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I have never heard anything so ridiculous! I would contact the duty police inspector and ask why the officers on duty refused to charge the perpetrator with ABH, in a pubic place, as apparently the woman came out of her garden (I assume onto the road). Even if they were both in the garden, that isn't reasonable force, imo. That is a completely separate issue from the fireworks.

I would ask the elected Commissioner of Police to clarify whether all the officers in the area are aware of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and if not, why not and what are they going to do about it for the future.
 
I too have felt very down hearted about fireworks this year after my neighbours set off fireworks next to my ponies paddock.

I managed to catch them and get them in to the stables but the noise sent them frantic. My mini shetland is so traumatised that she won't eat in her stable now.
 
I live in a flat, my upstairs neighbours set fireworks off from their balcony...
Scared me never mind my poor cat who shot off and hid for the rest of the night. I would contact the police again and agree about the MP.
 
Hack4fun said:
Tell the police about the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
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the fact that we have to inform the police about an act is rather worrying. Perhaps this is where we need the BHS to lobby the Police. So that this law is filtered down.

So sorry for the lady involved in this, I hope she does come on and reads the support she will no doubt get.
 
Poor lady getting assaulted for trying to protect her horses. THis country is shocking, its standards have really slipped.

I thought it was totally heartbreaking about the horse who had colic due to a twisted gutdue to fireworks going off and landing near/in his field.
The horse, called Solo, ran around so much in panic and fear that he suffered a twisted gut and died.

From the article "When the vet arrived, they said that they were left with no choice but to put him down. They said Solo was in so much pain that he would have died within the next hour. The vet told me that he twisted his gut in panic from the noise. He was suffering alone for 14 hours. He had galloped round the field so much all the grass was all chewed up. I feel terrible that he suffered all night alone, there was just nothing that I could do."

I feel so dreadfully sorry for the lady whose horse it was.

There have been numerous other horses reported that have been seriously injured, died or had to be PTS due to fireworks. Totally shocking.
 
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One was killed on a busy road after running through its fence onto the main road it was fortunate that the drivers and other motorist were not killed as well think that was last year
my friends horse is traumatised every year by fireworks being let off over his field She has told them about the law but they just laughed and said it was their annual family party
 
I was stood in one of my fields on halloween with my sheepdog checking the sheep. Next thing the house over the hedge set off allsorts of rockets. Dog shot off and hid under the car, foal went mental. Next door's elderly horse tried to climb the fence and over the back's broodmares went through their fence. House is surrounded on 3 sides with fields and livestock in front is a single track road and yet more fields and livestock. They didn't care. Their response was so? We can do what we want on our land.
 
This is an article paraphrasing the act, but it does look like what they were doing is illegal - especially as they continued after they were told the horses were distressed. It may be the case that if people keep contacting the police when incidents happen, they might start having to do something about it. It's also not just the noise - it's the associated 'litter' from the bloody things that drops in the fields.

https://www.herefordequestrian.co.uk/2017/11/02/fireworks-and-the-law/

If the police aren't interested, then possibly try the local media (as an exercise in education for both general public and police). I'd also be inclined to complain to the police complaints authority or the area commissioner(?) regarding their lack of knowledge and action.
 
Ddraig_wen said:
I was stood in one of my fields on halloween with my sheepdog checking the sheep. Next thing the house over the hedge set off allsorts of rockets. Dog shot off and hid under the car, foal went mental. Next door's elderly horse tried to climb the fence and over the back's broodmares went through their fence. House is surrounded on 3 sides with fields and livestock in front is a single track road and yet more fields and livestock. They didn't care. Their response was so? We can do what we want on our land.
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But they can't!. The law not only protects animals but also says that fireworks should not be set off in proximity to a public highway.
It is usually, no good remonstrating with neighbours - report them to the police for breaking the relevant law. If enough people did that, the police would take the law seriously.
 
We have an official, Council-sanctioned display on the playing fields. It is right next door to the RDA with 14 horses and ponies, several of whom can't travel. The noise is immense. We have to bring every horse in and there are 2 people per horse plus first aiders etc. Some of them are ok, some of them are very frightened. It's a huge undertaking to manage the evening, not least the worry about colic afterwards.

I do not understand how this is allowed to continue with so much evidence of how traumatic it is.
 
We had a local school, about half a mile away, have a display last night,Thurs. Aparently it was on facebook but not anything I look at so I didn't know. Wish I had, I would have put my dogs in the car and gone far away. It was horrendously noisy, right in the middle of a housing estate. Went on non stop. Not even enough time between bangs for me to load the dogs up and go. Was getting really worried about my older girl, thought she was going to have a heart attack. So inconsiderate. I shall be contacting the headmistress to protest.
 
Surbie said:
We have an official, Council-sanctioned display on the playing fields. It is right next door to the RDA with 14 horses and ponies, several of whom can't travel. The noise is immense. We have to bring every horse in and there are 2 people per horse plus first aiders etc. Some of them are ok, some of them are very frightened. It's a huge undertaking to manage the evening, not least the worry about colic afterwards.

I do not understand how this is allowed to continue with so much evidence of how traumatic it is.
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Has any-one actually notified who ever it is who organizes/sanctions this firework display about how it affects the equines? People who don't keep animals often simply don't realise how their own enjoyment can have a detrimental effect on pets/livestock. I would approach them now, in anticipation of next year's event and if you don't get the reaction that you want, go to the local press.
 
little_critter said:
I finally got a response from my local force. In a nutshell they said "take it up with the RSPCA" Bunch of chocolate teapots!
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Remind them that the police have a duty to investigate breaking of the law, not to hand it on to another agency as and when it suits them.

Has anyone heard of any actual prosecutions in regards to livestock, or even warnings?
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Has any-one actually notified who ever it is who organizes/sanctions this firework display about how it affects the equines? People who don't keep animals often simply don't realise how their own enjoyment can have a detrimental effect on pets/livestock. I would approach them now, in anticipation of next year's event and if you don't get the reaction that you want, go to the local press.
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Yes I did in 2017, after what is now my horse nearly jumped out of his stable and did a terrified 17 poos in the 11 minutes of the display before starting to kick his stable and threaten to jump out. I wish I had filmed it as evidence but I was pretty busy. They told me we should move the horses for the night.

My horse is now at another yard, having been demoted from the RDA, but the others obviously aren't.
 
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i was a a livery yard once plaiting up..............when the YO and their family had a firework display behind our barn............that and many other things was the decision to leave.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Remind them that the police have a duty to investigate breaking of the law, not to hand it on to another agency as and when it suits them.

Has anyone heard of any actual prosecutions in regards to livestock, or even warnings?
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No, not that I have heard of, the powers that be simply don't want to know. If you come on in to this group you will see many posts of people having similar problems including the lady who was physically attacked. The advice on there if you know of a display being organised is this, sorry it's long but taken directly off the group's page which is thishttps://www.facebook.com/groups/301565983934509/ please come and join us

Their advice is:
WHAT TO DO if your neighbours are having a firework display close to your horses’ stables /paddocks.
If you have already had a nice chat to explain how worried you are etc. about your animals and your neighbour is not prepared to listen, here are some tips on what to do next:
Firstly have a copy of the law regarding setting off fireworks near horses or print out a Hoof Leaflet which you can display as a poster or hand to your neighbour.



STEP 1. Ask to see a copy of their insurance and explain that you need to see this in case of any injury to your horses.
STEP 2. Household Insurance would not cover in the event of third parties attending the event. For commercial displays also ask to see the insurance and risk assessment report. Explain that your horses are close by and in the event of them being injured or needing vet care you would be making a claim.
STEP 3. If they will not show you their insurance: The next step is to ask for the name and address of the person organising the event. Write them a letter stating the law on fireworks and horses and explain that because they have not shown you their insurance this letter will be kept on file.
STEP 4. Sometimes scout groups etc have professional companies organising the event on their behalf. In this case you need to find out the name of the company and contact them. Upon contact ask them who is insuring the event. If you get this information contact them and explain as stated in STEP 1 Above
STEP 5 If you have managed to get this far you may find the event will be cancelled due to complications within the insurance. It may put many off
STEP 6. If it appears the event is still going ahead contact your local council trading standards Animal Welfare Dept. Also have a chat with your local police.
STEP 7 Many authorities are not even aware of the law. As stated in the animal welfare Act it is an offence to knowingly cause suffering to an animal by letting off fireworks close to stables or paddocks housing livestock. You may need to point this out to them. As your neighbour is going to be causing unnecessary suffering to your animals and he is now fully aware as you have already explained this to him.
STEP 8 The authorities may try and put the responsibility back on you by saying that you should move your horses etc . But of course this is not possible as you nowhere to move them to and this move would cause unnecessary stress and suffering to your animals
STEP 9 You are getting nowhere. Not uncommon i am afraid. Many people feel at this point they are banging their head against a brick wall. Unfortunately as of yet no one appears to have pushed things far enough to get enforcement or make a case This is why we all need to keep on calling authorities etc so they are aware of the law
STEP 10 Your next step could be to download a claim form and start an application to take out a Prohibitory injunction to stop the event. The cost of this application is around 150.00 and for anyone not able to afford the fee there is a application to have the fee wavered if on low income etc. Should anyone want advice on this please contact us .
STEP 11. Should you not use Step 10 and the event is still going ahead write to the organiser/Neighbour again explain your concerns re your animals explain that apart from the fact they may injure themselves or a spark may ignite your stables or hay, your horses will suffer stress which could last for several days resulting in you having to seek veterinary assistance and should this happen they will be liable for all costs. Explain that you will if necessary pursue a claim for damages through the courts. Which incidentally you could at very little cost via the small claims court.
STEP 12. Keep copies of any correspondence. Explain also that you will be notifying Animal Welfare Agencies the council and the Police and that should the event go ahead you will be filming it and using the film as evidence.
STEP 13 Should the event go ahead have witnesses on site and film the event

This is the HOOF leaflet you can print out to use
 

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