Comments on: Fireworks shock kills horse

Comments on: Fireworks shock kills horse http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/ Shropshire News - Midlands News - Breaking News UK Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:57:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Ceri G-Thomas http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26999 Ceri G-Thomas Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:12:34 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26999 I feel for the owners of this horse, I have just had the most horrendous weekend with my animals. Friday night a fire display was held on the opposite side of the valley the fireworks were so loud they rattled our windows & set the car alarms off. My one mare (17 h.h.) was rearing up at the stable walls, my 24 yrs retired showjumper was terrified we were worried she might have a heart attack & my two labradors were so frightened they were sick. This set the tone for the rest of the weekend where I have been trying to pacify large animals at a risk to my own life. I have taken all precautions advised including having a radio in the stables but fireworks are far from the roman candles & catherine wheels that we had years ago. Each morning I am finding the spent cartridges scattered around my field & stable yard. (I pray that none of these find their way into my hay stores). It's about time they were banned from public purchase and restricted to licenced public displays. I feel for the owners of this horse, I have just had the most horrendous weekend with my animals. Friday night a fire display was held on the opposite side of the valley the fireworks were so loud they rattled our windows & set the car alarms off. My one mare (17 h.h.) was rearing up at the stable walls, my 24 yrs retired showjumper was terrified we were worried she might have a heart attack & my two labradors were so frightened they were sick. This set the tone for the rest of the weekend where I have been trying to pacify large animals at a risk to my own life. I have taken all precautions advised including having a radio in the stables but fireworks are far from the roman candles & catherine wheels that we had years ago. Each morning I am finding the spent cartridges scattered around my field & stable yard. (I pray that none of these find their way into my hay stores). It’s about time they were banned from public purchase and restricted to licenced public displays.

]]> By: ve http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26824 ve Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:27:51 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26824 I feel so sad for the owners of the poor mare. Having kept horses for many years it appears obvious to me that the fireworks played a significant part in the death of Lady. She must have been utterly terrified. I feel so sad for the owners of the poor mare. Having kept horses for many years it appears obvious to me that the fireworks played a significant part in the death of Lady. She must have been utterly terrified.

]]> By: Sarah E http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26821 Sarah E Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:22:00 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26821 Our horse died last year- November 6th. I found him collapsed in his field in a pool of blood , his leg nearly severed as he had tried to continue running after the leg had broken.There was firework debris all around him. faithful friend of 22 years murdered for someones else fun. Its illegal to have a gun or explosives without a license- why are fireworks ok? Our horse died last year- November 6th. I found him collapsed in his field in a pool of blood , his leg nearly severed as he had tried to continue running after the leg had broken.There was firework debris all around him. faithful friend of 22 years murdered for someones else fun. Its illegal to have a gun or explosives without a license- why are fireworks ok?

]]> By: andrew finch http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26672 andrew finch Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:18:32 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26672 Shooting in my area at the moment is full on 10 to twelve guns going all day, noise not to similar to fireworks and as i stated the animals around me do not seem bothered including two horses and a poney, i will accept the fireworks are done at night ie flashes so will have a larger effect but a small firework event in some ones garden i do not believe affects animals in general .As i said the postmortem never said the horse was scared to death by the fireworks, i would also point out the horse was found at a later time, it was i assume from the above was found collapsed , time of collapse?? who says it was during the fireworks being let off ? was it before? was it a pure coincidence? has the vet stood by the owners reason the horse died ?. There are many factors that need to be looked at , i would like to add i would agree a large public firework display may have an effect on animals but not a small family event in the back garden with small fireworks producing no more noise than an afternoons shooting . Shooting in my area at the moment is full on 10 to twelve guns going all day, noise not to similar to fireworks and as i stated the animals around me do not seem bothered including two horses and a poney, i will accept the fireworks are done at night ie flashes so will have a larger effect but a small firework event in some ones garden i do not believe affects animals in general .As i said the postmortem never said the horse was scared to death by the fireworks, i would also point out the horse was found at a later time, it was i assume from the above was found collapsed , time of collapse?? who says it was during the fireworks being let off ? was it before? was it a pure coincidence? has the vet stood by the owners reason the horse died ?. There are many factors that need to be looked at , i would like to add i would agree a large public firework display may have an effect on animals but not a small family event in the back garden with small fireworks producing no more noise than an afternoons shooting .

]]> By: Sheila MacIsaac http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26669 Sheila MacIsaac Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:08:59 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26669 I live in Edinburgh where loud fireworks are part of the annual festival culture. From the end of August to New year, but particularly from October till New year we are constantly, under 'assault' from fireworks. My last dog was so terrified it was painful to watch, she flattened herself to the floor and just trembled, the moment one went off. I couldn't keep her sedated for 3 months and vets were not keen to supply sedatives anyway. Many people also, who have gone through warfare, are terrified by them. I've lived and worked in societies where gunshot was the norm and it does bring back memories. Please, Please let's at least limit them to predictable occasions. Like anything else they would probably be more of a spectacle that way. As a minimum let's tax them heavily, restrict the really noisy ones to public displays if at all they are necessary, and restrict sales. Trouble is idiots will be idiots, in my youth our dog was traumatised severely by youths throwing petrol cans on the embers of a local public bonfire and a few years ago a neighbour, parent of young children was setting off rockets in the midst of adjoining wood fenced back yards and fences. Only legislation could work. How much can councils do, how much needs to be done by central government?? I live in Edinburgh where loud fireworks are part of the annual festival culture. From the end of August to New year, but particularly from October till New year we are constantly, under ‘assault’ from fireworks. My last dog was so terrified it was painful to watch, she flattened herself to the floor and just trembled, the moment one went off. I couldn’t keep her sedated for 3 months and vets were not keen to supply sedatives anyway. Many people also, who have gone through warfare, are terrified by them. I’ve lived and worked in societies where gunshot was the norm and it does bring back memories. Please, Please let’s at least limit them to predictable occasions. Like anything else they would probably be more of a spectacle that way. As a minimum let’s tax them heavily, restrict the really noisy ones to public displays if at all they are necessary, and restrict sales. Trouble is idiots will be idiots, in my youth our dog was traumatised severely by youths throwing petrol cans on the embers of a local public bonfire and a few years ago a neighbour, parent of young children was setting off rockets in the midst of adjoining wood fenced back yards and fences. Only legislation could work. How much can councils do, how much needs to be done by central government??

]]> By: K B http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26650 K B Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:37:58 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26650 Andrew Finch - you've obviously never seen a horse scared half out of its mind by fireworks. I've had some severe injuries caused to one of mine on November 5th with fireworks let off in the field beside hers. Maybe you have to have an animal killed or injured because of fireworks to appreciate how big an issue it is for many of us - but I sincerely hope you never have to go through the same thing many of us do. It may be in horses nature to be spooked by fireworks, but that's even more reason why people living in rural areas should have consideration for ALL the animals kept near them. It wouldn't have taken long for the people who were responsible for these fireworks to let the mare's owner know their plans and it could have saved the mare's life. I agree 100% with Peter Natt, some people will only become aware of the need to be considerate through hitting them very hard where it hurts - in their pockets. Andrew Finch – you’ve obviously never seen a horse scared half out of its mind by fireworks. I’ve had some severe injuries caused to one of mine on November 5th with fireworks let off in the field beside hers. Maybe you have to have an animal killed or injured because of fireworks to appreciate how big an issue it is for many of us – but I sincerely hope you never have to go through the same thing many of us do.

It may be in horses nature to be spooked by fireworks, but that’s even more reason why people living in rural areas should have consideration for ALL the animals kept near them. It wouldn’t have taken long for the people who were responsible for these fireworks to let the mare’s owner know their plans and it could have saved the mare’s life.

I agree 100% with Peter Natt, some people will only become aware of the need to be considerate through hitting them very hard where it hurts – in their pockets.

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]]> By: andrew finch http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26632 andrew finch Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:23:28 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26632 PERSPECTIVE here please, the horse died sad i accept as is losing any family pet very sad, but the postmortem stated internal injurys it did not say frightened to death by fireworks , living in a farming community fireworks at private homes go off every year with no harm to any animals around me the sheep do not seem troubled niether do the cattle nor my dogs etc , granted horses may be spooked its there nature but scared to death ? i think not the mare was elderly there is many factors to think of , i think the fire work issue is not as big an issue as people believe. PERSPECTIVE here please, the horse died sad i accept as is losing any family pet very sad, but the postmortem stated internal injurys it did not say frightened to death by fireworks , living in a farming community fireworks at private homes go off every year with no harm to any animals around me the sheep do not seem troubled niether do the cattle nor my dogs etc , granted horses may be spooked its there nature but scared to death ? i think not the mare was elderly there is many factors to think of , i think the fire work issue is not as big an issue as people believe.

]]> By: sov http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26630 sov Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:14:30 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26630 it is a distressful time for all animals i think and personally i hate fireworks but i do think they are on sale far too early, they get let off now for any kind of event. I think fireworks should be sold for displays only and ONLY for bonfire night...not before and not after. My thoughts go to the owners of the horse that died...RIP it is a distressful time for all animals i think and personally i hate fireworks but i do think they are on sale far too early, they get let off now for any kind of event. I think fireworks should be sold for displays only and ONLY for bonfire night…not before and not after.
My thoughts go to the owners of the horse that died…RIP

]]> By: Theresa W http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26626 Theresa W Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:00:55 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26626 I have horses and cats. Cats won't be allowed out all weekend as I can't guarantee that they will be in before the fireworks start going off, even though generally they are in by about 6ish. Last year, I had to make a late night visit to the yard as we had a call to say the neighbours were letting off massive fireworks close by and the horses were going mad. Luckily, none were too stressed. Organised displays are surely the way forward. When you weigh up the cost of admissions against the cost of actually buying fireworks, you are probably better off anyway. I have horses and cats. Cats won’t be allowed out all weekend as I can’t guarantee that they will be in before the fireworks start going off, even though generally they are in by about 6ish.

Last year, I had to make a late night visit to the yard as we had a call to say the neighbours were letting off massive fireworks close by and the horses were going mad. Luckily, none were too stressed.

Organised displays are surely the way forward. When you weigh up the cost of admissions against the cost of actually buying fireworks, you are probably better off anyway.

]]> By: Joanne http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26619 Joanne Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:28:13 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26619 I feel very sorry for the owners and the poor horse. I have my own horses and no how bad it can get. I don't mind people having their fun, each to their own but if they put as much effort into letting people know their party plans as they do in organising the party this poor mare could still be alive. It just annoys me they have no thought for anyone around them, only for themselves, what a selfish society we live in! I feel very sorry for the owners and the poor horse. I have my own horses and no how bad it can get. I don’t mind people having their fun, each to their own but if they put as much effort into letting people know their party plans as they do in organising the party this poor mare could still be alive. It just annoys me they have no thought for anyone around them, only for themselves, what a selfish society we live in!

]]> By: Pat Adams http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26618 Pat Adams Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:21:54 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26618 I like fireworks personally but am definitely of the opinion (very strongly!) that they should be banned from public sales at any time; only be used by qualified people at public displays which would be limited to the two weeks surrounding November 5th; bomb sounding bangers should not be allowed in any circumstance, what is wrong with a 'pretty' show rather than a full fledged war scene? I too, own horses, dogs and cattle; each year is a nightmare for them - and us; it is time the practise was stopped; people aren't the considerate neighbours they used to be and just do not see the dangers or appreciate what can happen with terrified animals. As Peter said, it's about time sufferers were able to bring offenders to a very expensive (for the offenders)justice, although that won't by any means assuage the loss of their pet; it just might make people more aware. How many tragedies like this will it take for the government to take action? I like fireworks personally but am definitely of the opinion (very strongly!) that they should be banned from public sales at any time; only be used by qualified people at public displays which would be limited to the two weeks surrounding November 5th; bomb sounding bangers should not be allowed in any circumstance, what is wrong with a ‘pretty’ show rather than a full fledged war scene?
I too, own horses, dogs and cattle; each year is a nightmare for them – and us; it is time the practise was stopped; people aren’t the considerate neighbours they used to be and just do not see the dangers or appreciate what can happen with terrified animals.
As Peter said, it’s about time sufferers were able to bring offenders to a very expensive (for the offenders)justice, although that won’t by any means assuage the loss of their pet; it just might make people more aware. How many tragedies like this will it take for the government to take action?

]]> By: Peter Natt http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26614 Peter Natt Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:05:28 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26614 It is about time that someone takes legal action against the person resposible for a firework party which causes an animal to be injured or killed and takes them to the cleaners. That will send a clear message that those people having an event of this nature are aware that they themselves can be personally held reposible for incidents of this nature. It is about time that someone takes legal action against the person resposible for a firework party which causes an animal to be injured or killed and takes them to the cleaners. That will send a clear message that those people having an event of this nature are aware that they themselves can be personally held reposible for incidents of this nature.

]]> By: Sue Boyle http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26608 Sue Boyle Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:48:36 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26608 Totally agree that fireworks should be banned from all but public organised displays. My normaly quiet neighbours with children turn into hooligans when they have fireworks in their possession. They are transformed for a few hours several times a year from normal polite law abiding citizens to noisy, inconsiderate individuals. Fireworks and rockets are launched from the adjoining fence with total disregard for anyones safety or thought for my two dogs inside my conservatory in full view. They have never issued a warning and seem totally oblivious to the dogs obvious distress. Had they been just a little thoughtful the first time they chose to take this liberty I would not be having to give my dog dangerous drugs several times a year to prevent her harming herself! Totally agree that fireworks should be banned from all but public organised displays. My normaly quiet neighbours with children turn into hooligans when they have fireworks in their possession. They are transformed for a few hours several times a year from normal polite law abiding citizens to noisy, inconsiderate individuals. Fireworks and rockets are launched from the adjoining fence with total disregard for anyones safety or thought for my two dogs inside my conservatory in full view. They have never issued a warning and seem totally oblivious to the dogs obvious distress. Had they been just a little thoughtful the first time they chose to take this liberty I would not be having to give my dog dangerous drugs several times a year to prevent her harming herself!

]]> By: jen1 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26604 jen1 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:24:43 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26604 i think all fireworks should be banned, being replaced by lazor shows, i think all fireworks should be banned, being replaced by lazor shows,

]]> By: Jake http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26594 Jake Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:23:03 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26594 @Dianne Setterington: "No British jobs will be lost as they aren’t made in Britain any more" Red Dragon Fireworks - UK fireworks manufacturer based in Ditton Priors, Shropshire. @Dianne Setterington:
“No British jobs will be lost as they aren’t made in Britain any more”

Red Dragon Fireworks – UK fireworks manufacturer based in Ditton Priors, Shropshire.

]]> By: autumn http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26593 autumn Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:14:46 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26593 I totally agree with Brenda.After all bonfire night is november 5th so why do we have to endure days,possibly weeks of listening to fireworks.My poor dog cant understand what the noise is and constantly barks,even tho she lives indoors.My heart goes out to the poor horse and its owners.There are plenty of organised displays around the country. I totally agree with Brenda.After all bonfire night is november 5th so why do we have to endure days,possibly weeks of listening to fireworks.My poor dog cant understand what the noise is and constantly barks,even tho she lives indoors.My heart goes out to the poor horse and its owners.There are plenty of organised displays around the country.

]]> By: Linda http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26585 Linda Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:29:39 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26585 I feel so sorry for the owners of that poor horse. I have horses, dogs and cats myself and would love to see at least the really loud fireworks banned and the rest only for displays. I had a dog that wrecked the house because the idiots next door let off fireworks right next to the fence one night before we got home from work, she would have been OK with us here. I feel so sorry for the owners of that poor horse. I have horses, dogs and cats myself and would love to see at least the really loud fireworks banned and the rest only for displays. I had a dog that wrecked the house because the idiots next door let off fireworks right next to the fence one night before we got home from work, she would have been OK with us here.

]]> By: animallover http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26583 animallover Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:05:20 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26583 I relly do hate fireworks, even as a child i couldnt stad the things. they cause so much distress to animals. I would like to see them banned altogether, but if thas notpossible they should be confined to organised displays held well away from farms riding schools and other livestock places. RIP Poor Mare. I relly do hate fireworks, even as a child i couldnt stad the things.
they cause so much distress to animals. I would like to see them banned altogether, but if thas notpossible they should be confined to organised displays held well away from farms riding schools and other livestock places.
RIP Poor Mare.

]]> By: Dianne Setterington http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26579 Dianne Setterington Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:45:19 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26579 echo Blue Eyes. It's time this practice was banned altogether. No British jobs will be lost as they aren't made in Britain any more. I get terrified with the bombs that are going off for a month or more. Imagine if you were an elderly person who was cutting something with a sharp knife, they could jump and it could slip doing serious damage. I have horses and dogs and i dread bonfire season. You never know where they are going to land, could be somewhere where a fire could start. These things are weapons in the wrong hands. Ban them I say. echo Blue Eyes.

It’s time this practice was banned altogether. No British jobs will be lost as they aren’t made in Britain any more. I get terrified with the bombs that are going off for a month or more. Imagine if you were an elderly person who was cutting something with a sharp knife, they could jump and it could slip doing serious damage. I have horses and dogs and i dread bonfire season. You never know where they are going to land, could be somewhere where a fire could start. These things are weapons in the wrong hands. Ban them I say.

]]> By: Blue Eyes http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/31/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26577 Blue Eyes Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:35:29 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/10/fireworks-shock-kills-horse/#comment-26577 This is so sad but not surprising when you see how easy it is to buy fireworks. I agree with Big Matty - there should be tighter regulations when it comes to buying fireworks - in fact I would go so far as to say that we should adopt the same principles as Australia and ban them. Yes, there may be a few small children upset by this, but we, as a nation have gone to prove that we cannot be trusted to use them sensibly (im sorry, Im not generalising as there will be some really sensible people out there!) but when you read stories like this, its heartbreaking. This is so sad but not surprising when you see how easy it is to buy fireworks. I agree with Big Matty – there should be tighter regulations when it comes to buying fireworks – in fact I would go so far as to say that we should adopt the same principles as Australia and ban them. Yes, there may be a few small children upset by this, but we, as a nation have gone to prove that we cannot be trusted to use them sensibly (im sorry, Im not generalising as there will be some really sensible people out there!) but when you read stories like this, its heartbreaking.

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