MPs told of fireworks' horrifying impact on horses

The Tory Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said his constituency was seeing the antisocial use of fireworks during the night and early in the morning throughout the year.

He told how in Riddlesden, near Keighley, in November fireworks had led to the tragic death of a foal, known as King at a farm run by Hannah Allwood’s family.

He said: “I know we cannot use images in the debate, but I have an image of King on my desk. It is believed that King, terrified by fireworks, bolted in the night. He was found by local farmer Hannah the next morning, impaled on a piece of farm machinery.

"Hannah said ‘We had to lift the machinery off him and drag him out, but he sadly died from his injuries. It was just awful, like something out of a horror film’. Let that be a message to anyone who still says that fireworks are merely a matter of harmless fun – they are not.”

"It is undeniable that the inappropriate use of fireworks can have a devastating impact on domestic pets, farm animals and the like.”

Westminster Hall heard while the current legal limit for loudness of fireworks is 120 dB, equivalent to being at a rock concert or standing next to a police siren, fireworks should be limited to below 90 dB, equivalent to a busy restaurant or a hairdryer.

Mr Moore said reducing maximum noise levels would mean that private fireworks displays could continue, but with be a reduced risk of distressing animals, and suggested those wishing to hold firework displays could be made to seek approval from their council.

MPs were told enforcement was an issue as until a firework was lit illegally, no crime has been committed. The debate heard by the time the police spot and respond to a firework in the sky, those responsible have had time to flee the scene or to dispose of evidence.

Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme MP Lee Pitcher and Dewsbury and Batley MP Iqbal Mohamed said hundreds of constituents had written to them complaining about fireworks impact on animals and communities.

Ahead of York Central MP Rachael Maskell underlining the risk of fired causes by fireworks, Rachael MaskellScarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume highlighted research by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals showing that 66 per cent of animals are negatively impacted by fireworks.

Shipley MP Anna Dixon said a petition she launched in October calling for a reduction in the legal decibel limit for fireworks sold in the UK had been supported by almost 5,000 people, while Leeds South West and Morley MP Mark Sewards said he was “greatly in favour of planned firework displays”, as they enabled people to plan ahead.

Responding for the government, Halifax MP and Business and Trade Minister Kate Dearden paid tribute to Redwings Horse Sanctuary for its fireworks petition as part of her organisation’s work to safeguard horses and advocate for their welfare. She said while animal welfare charities such as Redwings and the RSPCA branch in Halifax have been calling for a reduction in firework decibel levels for some time, but said the Government was unable to give a timeline or strategy of what would happen next.

Ms Dearden issued an assurance she had heard the concerns and would be asking for better regulations and urgent action. She said: “We will continue to gather evidence and continue to hear from organisations, charities and campaigners to ensure that any changes to legislation are effective.”

After the debate, a Redwings spokeswoman said the Government’s lack of commitment to a timetable for legal change was “disappointing”. She said: “The aim of a debate like this is to get this evidence in front of a minister, which we achieved thanks to everyone who has supported us by signing our petition and contacting their representatives. As frustrating as it is for all of us who care about this issue, change takes time and the minister has indicated her willingness to meet with us, which we’ll of course be taking her up on.”