The menace of fireworks and calls for change

As the year draws to a close, H&H investigates the situation - and looks at possible solutions

- BECKY MURRAY

CALLS for change to firework laws continue as horse owners prepare for New Year's Eve - but what is the solution?

Every year horses suffer injuries - some fatal - in incidents involving fireworks. Although regulations exist on when fireworks can be bought and let off, problems still occur.

As the year ends, H&H reviews the situation.

Horse owner Joanna Barnett has been raising awareness since her mare Tallulah died after fireworks went off near her Surrey field on 31 December 2022. Tallulah "crashed through a fence in terror" and was found on the road. She could not be saved.

"She was suffering and the only thing I could do was put her to sleep," Joanna told H&H. "We've since created an animal safe zone, and other than the village organised display, I don't think anyone lets off fireworks now, which has made a huge difference. But in another nearby village, it was like a war zone. How can you prepare animals for that? Until you've seen that suffering, people don't understand."

Welfare charity Redwings has lost three residents, Cinders, Percy and Sprite, to firework-related incidents.

Redwings introduced its Keep Horses in Mind initiative in 2024 calling for a review of legislation, raising awareness and gathering evidence.

This September it launched a petition for the maximum noise for consumer fireworks to be reduced. By November it reached the 100,000 signatures needed to be considered for a Parliament debate.

"There are a range of options for the ideal solution," Redwings campaigns manager Helen Whitelegg told