Posted: Tue 17th Dec 2019

Updated: Wed 26th Feb

Calls to make Wrexham a safer place for animals by encouraging responsible use of fireworks

North Wales news and information
This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 17th, 2019

CALLS are being made for Wrexham to be made a safer place for animals and vulnerable people by encouraging the responsible use of fireworks.
A motion has been put forward to Wrexham Council asking councillors to support a public awareness campaign about the impact fireworks can have on pets and humans.
It also calls for politicians to lobby the Welsh Government to impose tougher restrictions on their use and to require public displays in the county to be advertised in advance to allow residents to take precautions.
The motion has been put forward by the Wrexham Independents Group after its members said they had been contacted by a number of people who were concerned about the misuse of fireworks.
Group leader David A Bithell said: “I’m pleased on behalf of our group to be presenting a motion to full council on Wednesday night re: fireworks following several concerns raised to me and other members of the council.
“Fireworks are used by people throughout the year to mark different events.
“While they can bring much enjoyment to some people, they can cause significant problems and fear for other people and animals.
“They can be a source of fear and distress for many animals, including pet animals, farm livestock and wildlife.
“Animals affected not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause themselves injuries – sometimes very serious ones – as they attempt to run away or hide from the noise.
“It is believed the law is failing as it does not prevent or sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress, injury or anxiety to people, as well as death, injury or distress to animals.”
A similar motion was recently passed in Flintshire following the death of a horse in Holywell, which was said to have been “spooked” by fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night this year.
The version put forward by Wrexham councillors also encourages fireworks sellers to stock ‘quieter’ alternatives for public displays.
It has received the support of the RSPCA, which recently launched its Bang Out Of Order campaign to push for the adoption of tighter regulations around fireworks.
An RSPCA Cymru spokesperson said: “RSPCA Cymru welcomes this notice of motion and urges councillors to support what will have a profoundly positive impact on the welfare of animals within the Wrexham County Borough Council area.
“The RSPCA is inundated with calls each year, receiving on average 400, relating to fireworks, with the majority of these incidents – unsurprisingly – taking place between October and January.
“Last year, the RSPCA received 411 calls, a significant 12 per cent increase from five years previous.
“The measures introduced within the notice of motion, namely the creation of a public awareness campaign and lobbying both the Welsh and UK Governments, will go some way to creating a Wales which is a safer place for animals when fireworks are being set off, encouraging responsible use, better information and the promotion of lower-noise alternatives.”
The motion will be considered at a full council meeting being held on Wednesday evening.

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter



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