“More balanced regulation is desperately needed” - Redwings.
National horse sanctuary Redwings has launched a petition calling for the Government to reduce the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels.
It follows the publication of a report into the findings of the charity’s Fireworks and Horses online survey, which attracted some 5,128 complete responses from people across the UK during five weeks in December 2024 and January 2025.
Helen Whitelegg, Redwings' campaigns and policy manager, said: “Research, including our own survey of over 5,000 UK horse owners, supports our belief that reducing the permitted noise levels for fireworks could help to achieve that balance.
“The sound of fireworks, more than the light, is believed to be the main issue for horses, which is perhaps no surprise as animals have more sensitive hearing than people and research suggests that horses’ ears amplify sounds by around 10-20 decibels.”
The survey formed part of Redwings’ Keep Horses in Mind campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the danger posed to horses and other equines by fireworks and gather information to limit it.
Redwings also held a roundtable discussion earlier this year exploring the viability of the Animal Welfare Act as a means of holding individuals to account in cases where fireworks are believed to have inadvertently led to the injury or death of an animal.
Helen said: “We know there is widespread support for calls to tighten fireworks regulations and we hope [the petition] is a positive way for people to make their voice heard and appeal to policymakers.
"Redwings is not alone in having lost much-loved horses to fireworks and the current lack of regulation also has far wider impacts, from pets, livestock and wildlife to people living with PTSD or sensory issues like autism. We fully appreciate that many people enjoy fireworks, but more balanced regulation is desperately needed.”
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