During a 15-minute fireworks display organized by Mr. Richmond, a horse in a neighboring field bolted in fear, crashing into a fence and sustaining catastrophic injuries that led to it being euthanized. Mr. Richmond apologized for any distress caused, acknowledging that he should have informed more residents about the event, which was professionally managed and intended as a local celebration with safety measures in place.

However, some local residents criticized Mr. Richmond, highlighting the loudness of the fireworks and questioning the ethics of someone leading a business that claims to care for pets. They emphasized the responsibility of public figures to align their personal actions with their professional values, especially when their organizations promote animal welfare.