Latest news with #fireworksban
RNZ News
3 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Animal rights activists call for ban on public sale of fireworks
Animal rights activists have presented a petition calling for a ban on the public sale of fireworks, which they say cause unnecessary physical and psychological harm to the country's animals. The 'Pawprint Petition' contains more than 90,000 human signatures, and is supplemented by nearly 80,000 paw prints. Jazlyn Whales reports. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
'Owners are unable to protect their pets' - fireworks ban petition presented to Parliament
(from left) MPs Greg Fleming and Jenny Marcroft, and Animates' Nathalie Moolenschot, with Frankie the golden doodle in the centre. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone More 90,000 humans - and tens of thousands of animals - have signed a petition in support of a ban on the public sale of fireworks. The Pawprint Petition was presented to Parliament and was received by National MP Greg Fleming. As well as the human signatures, the petition was supplemented by nearly 80,000 additional paw, hoof prints and marks from pets of concerned owners. Petition organisers Animates said loud explosions from the letting off of fireworks - purchased around the celebration of Guy Fawkes night - created "extreme stress", leading to injuries, fatalities and missing animals. They said banning the sale of fireworks was crucial to protect animals from unnecessary fear, distress and harm. A short sale period means people stockpile fireworks that are being lit all throughout the year, say petition organisers. Photo: 123rf The New Zealand Veterinary Association spokesperson Sally Cory said fireworks caused stress and anxiety in pets, livestock, zoo animals and wildlife. "Every year, veterinarians are called to see horses that have been badly injured by panicking and running through fences, attempting to jump out of paddocks, or have run on to roads, endangering themselves and motorists. "Cats and dogs often get anxious and try to flee when fireworks are going off. As a result many each year are injured. Large animals in general suffer from fear and stress related to fireworks and the impact of fireworks on wildlife is also a recognised issue," Corry said. Animates general manager of marketing Nathalie Moolenschot told RNZ the signatures were gathered over six months and the inclusion of the animals pawprints and marks was likely to be "a world's first". "Just having [fireworks] available in New Zealand for sale for a couple of days a year enables people to stockpile them which means that they're being lit all throughout the year. "Owners are unable to protect their pets and livestock during those times," Moolenschot said. She said she was thrilled that the large response to the petition was now a matter of official record. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- CTV News
Police crack down on fireworks, bonfires ahead of Victoria Day weekend
Video Officers say they'll be watching this Victoria Day weekend. Fireworks and bonfires are banned in parks and on beaches, with fines for those who break the rules.
