On the occasion of the current conference of interior ministers, the German Animal Welfare Federation has written to the interior ministers and appealed to them to work toward a ban on private New Year's Eve fireworks. Thomas Schröder, president of the German Animal Welfare Federation, comments:
"Private fireworks are no longer acceptable. Wild animals, pets, and farm animals are terrified by the sudden noise, the smell of burning, and the flashes of light. Pets run away and are reported missing in large numbers to our pet registry FINDEFIX after New Year's Eve. Animals that try to flee in panic sometimes even die and also pose a danger to humans when they are involved in traffic accidents. Added to this is the environmental impact of the waste and the heavy metals and toxins it contains. The interior ministers must finally work towards a ban on private New Year's Eve fireworks. New Year's Eve can also be celebrated appropriately without endangering animals and humans."
