Redwings Horse Sanctuary has highlighted the distress fireworks cause to horses by sharing footage of two rescue ponies, Dennis and Merry, reacting fearfully to nearby fireworks. Despite sedation and careful management by their guardian, the ponies exhibited panic behaviors that worsened Dennis’s osteoarthritis and triggered stress-related colic in Merry. The sanctuary aims to raise awareness about the risks fireworks pose to animals, especially those with health vulnerabilities, and urges people to reconsider setting off fireworks near them.

In response to these concerns, Redwings is campaigning for the UK Government to lower the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels. Their petition has gained significant public support, with over 160,000 signatures, prompting consideration for parliamentary debate. The sanctuary continues to receive reports of animals suffering from fireworks-related stress and injuries, underscoring the urgent need for regulatory change to protect vulnerable animals.