The German Animal Welfare Federation is calling for a ban on the private purchase and use of pyrotechnics on New Year's Eve - in support of the “Böllerciao” campaign by Deutsche Umwelthilfe. As rockets and firecrackers cause stress, fear or panic in most animals, the animal rights activists say that firecracker ban zones should at least be set up around animal facilities. The Federal Council recently rejected a motion that proposed more specific amendments to the Explosives Ordinance in order to protect animal shelters and the like. However, it is still possible for local authorities to exempt certain areas from permission to set off New Year's Eve fireworks, according to the Animal Welfare Federation.
“In terms of animal welfare and nature conservation, private New Year's Eve fireworks should be banned,” says Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation. Alternatives could be drone shows - without frightened animals, waste and the risk of injury.
As long as private New Year's Eve fireworks are permitted, the German Animal Welfare Federation, together with its member associations and animal shelters, is appealing to local authorities to use the full scope of the First Ordinance to the Explosives Act to at least create protected areas around facilities such as animal shelters, zoos or horse stables. “When fireworks are set off in the immediate vicinity, many animals are massively affected in one fell swoop,” warns Schröder. So far, animal facilities have not been specifically listed in the absolute prohibitions of the First Ordinance to the Explosives Act, despite their special need for protection against noise pollution. “Municipalities could at least exempt certain areas from the permission to set off New Year's Eve fireworks for fire safety reasons or in densely populated areas by means of a general decree,” explains Schröder. In the past, some cities and municipalities have spoken out in favor of restrictions on fireworks where the ordinance was applicable. However, no protection zones have been established around facilities that house animals.
NOISE, THE SMELL OF BURNING AND FLASHES OF LIGHT ARE A NIGHTMARE FOR ANIMALS
Most animal species, including pets such as dogs and cats, suffer particularly from rockets and firecrackers due to their sensitive hearing - these can even cause permanent damage to their hearing. Startled wild animals in urban areas, especially wild birds, leave their roosts in the middle of the night under considerable stress. Pigs, cows or sheep and especially horses also react sensitively and can injure themselves considerably if they try to flee in panic. Last but not least, there is an increased risk of fire in agricultural livestock farming. Huge quantities of fireworks also end up in nature and cause lasting damage. This is because rockets and firecrackers are printed with toxic colors and contain heavy metals and other pollutants that can enter the soil and the water cycle.
The German Animal Welfare Federation calls on all animal lovers to voluntarily refrain from using fireworks on New Year's Eve - especially if animals are kept nearby.
Note to editors: You can find more information on the “Böllerciao” campaign by Deutsche Umwelthilfe here: www.duh.de/mitmachen/boellerfreies-silvester. Animal lovers have the opportunity to sign an open letter to Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on the website calling for a ban on firecrackers in Germany.
