Animal campaigners are calling for a ban on the public sale of fireworks in the United Kingdom following the death of a three-month-old red panda kit named Roxie. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) believes that Roxie may have died due to stress caused by fireworks being set off across the city during the traditional Bonfire Night celebrations. The noise from fireworks has long been a concern for animal rights campaigners and pet owners, who argue that it causes extreme distress to animals.
The tradition of setting off fireworks on and around November 5, known as Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night, dates back centuries in the U.K. It commemorates the failed plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. However, the loud noises and bright lights of fireworks have been known to cause distress to animals, with RZSS reporting that Roxie’s mother also died just five days before Roxie’s death, possibly as a result of the stress from the fireworks. A petition with over 1.1 million signatures calling for tighter regulations on the sale of fireworks has been delivered to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Edinburgh City Council recently became the first Scottish local authority to ban fireworks in some districts during specified dates around Bonfire Night. This move followed the death of Roxie, with the council hoping to prevent similar incidents in the future. The RZSS is also calling for a nationwide ban on the public sale of fireworks, with the exception of licensed public events. They argue that this would help protect animals like Roxie from the potentially devastating consequences of fireworks while still allowing people to enjoy traditional celebrations.
Ben Supple, RZSS deputy chief executive, expressed support for animal welfare charities’ calls to ban the sale of fireworks to the public. He believes that restricting fireworks to licensed public events would be a better way to ensure that animals are not harmed by the noise and stress associated with fireworks. The death of Roxie has brought attention to the impact that fireworks can have on animals in captivity, with concerns raised about the welfare of zoo animals and pets during fireworks displays.
The death of Roxie has sparked a nationwide debate about the use of fireworks and the impact they have on animals. Campaigners are calling for stricter regulations on the sale of fireworks, with some advocating for a total ban on fireworks sales to the public. The RZSS is urging policymakers to consider the well-being of animals when making decisions about fireworks regulations, emphasizing the need to balance traditional celebrations with animal welfare concerns. The tragic death of Roxie has highlighted the dangers that fireworks can pose to animals and has prompted calls for change to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As the debate over fireworks regulations continues, there is growing support for measures to protect animals from the stress and harm caused by fireworks. The RZSS’s call for a ban on the public sale of fireworks has gained momentum, with support from animal welfare charities and members of the public. The death of Roxie has brought attention to the impact of fireworks on animals and has sparked a broader conversation about the need to prioritize animal welfare in discussions about fireworks regulations. Efforts to restrict fireworks to licensed public events and limit the sale of fireworks to the public are gaining traction as policymakers consider ways to prevent future tragedies like Roxie’s death.
