As Bonfire Night approaches, two leading animal welfare charities are intensifying their calls for stricter fireworks regulations, highlighting the devastating impact loud displays have on horses and other animals across the UK.

Redwings Petition Hits 100,000 Signatures

Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s petition calling for the Government to reduce the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels has reached the crucial 100,000 signature threshold, meaning it must now be considered for Parliamentary debate.

The charity, which has lost three of its own rescued residents to fireworks-related incidents in the past, is urging people to continue signing and sharing the petition as preparations for tomorrow’s Bonfire Night celebrations reach their peak.

Research, including a Redwings survey of over 5,000 UK horse owners, suggests that reducing the permitted noise levels for fireworks could significantly reduce their negative impact and hopefully result in fewer horse deaths.

The Scale of the Problem

Between 2010 and 2024, there were 1,468 horse-related incidents caused by fireworks across the UK, including 49 confirmed deaths and 317 injuries. On average, more than 100 horses are killed or injured every year due to incidents involving fireworks.

Helen Whitelegg, Redwings’ Campaigns and Policy Manager, explained the extensive measures the charity takes to protect their residents: “It takes a lot of effort to try to protect our rescued residents from the negative effects fireworks can have on them and, unfortunately, we know from experience that our best efforts are not always enough.”

Real Stories of Suffering

The human cost of these incidents is equally heartbreaking. Last year, professional-grade fireworks were set off near Foxfields Riding Centre in Bolton on the Saturday before Bonfire Night. Clare O’Donnell’s horse Foxy was so terrified that, despite being sedated, she damaged her hind leg whilst panicking in her stable.

“As an experienced horse handler, I tried to enter the stable, conscious of Foxy’s existing injuries but could not calm Foxy who was rearing up and kicking out,” Clare recalled. “At this moment I felt helpless and thought of others struggling that night.”

Current Preparations at Redwings

The charity has hundreds of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules living at Visitor Centres in Norfolk, Essex, Warwickshire and Angus, Scotland. Many have previously endured cruelty or neglect, making them particularly vulnerable to fireworks stress.

Staff at Redwings’ Ada Cole Visitor Centre in Essex have already been contending with fireworks being let off nearby every night for the past two weeks. One horse on box rest due to laminitis worked himself into such a state during Saturday’s display that he was sweating to the point of foaming and pacing his stable. It took two members of staff over an hour to collect debris from the display that had landed in the horses’ fields.

Techniques employed by the charity include additional evening monitoring, provision of supplementary feed, removal of temporary electric fencing, and delays to changes in herd management.

RSPCA Joins the Call for Change

The RSPCA has made an urgent plea to the public to be a ‘Kind Spark’ this Bonfire Night by considering the impact of firework displays on animals. Recent polling reveals that an estimated 6.16 million households (22%) in England and Wales plan to set off fireworks this season.

Carrie Stones, Campaign Manager at the RSPCA, said: “Thousands of animals suffer every year due to fireworks, sometimes with devastating consequences. With more than six million households set to let off fireworks this season, animals face a really tough time again.”

The charity’s polling shows that 66% of pet owners say backyard firework displays are a major concern, highlighting the anxiety many animal owners experience during fireworks season.

Tragedy Beyond Horses

The RSPCA also shared the heartbreaking story of Luna, a seven-year-old Staffy Cross rescue dog who died last year after scaling a six-foot fence to escape fireworks let off during daylight hours on 9th November. Luna was later hit by a train whilst attempting to flee, her body discovered under Swinton Hall Bridge.

Owner Dagmara said: “I keep replaying the incident in my mind. This could so easily have been avoided. I wouldn’t want it to happen to another animal and their owner – yet we know it does every year.”

United Recommendations for Legislative Change

Both charities are calling for significant changes to fireworks legislation, with remarkably aligned recommendations:

Noise Reduction: Reduce the maximum noise level from 120dB to 90dB for all traditional fireworks

Sales Restrictions: Limit consumer fireworks sales to Category F1 and F2, available only through specialised or licensed shops

Firework-Free Zones: Designate protected areas where fireworks are likely to have greater impact on animals, the environment, and vulnerable people

Alternative Displays: Encourage local councils to organise alternative displays, including reviewing regulations around drone displays

Limited Sale Periods: Restrict fireworks to set dates, enabling animal owners to plan ahead

Parliamentary Action on the Horizon

An MP drop-in event is taking place in Westminster next week, organised by the Fireworks Impact Coalition (formerly the Fireworks Working Group). The Coalition comprises 19 charities representing both animals and humans impacted by fireworks, from assistance dogs and zoo animals to military veterans and people living with PTSD.

The event will take place on Wednesday 12th November between 1.30pm and 4.45pm in Dining Room B, House of Commons, with the aim of influencing those with the power to bring about change.

Support for Animal Owners

Both charities are offering extensive resources to help owners protect their animals during fireworks season. The RSPCA is partnering with Classic FM for the return of Pet Classics, special radio programmes designed to help owners and pets relax during fireworks. Two programmes will air on Wednesday 5th November and Saturday 8th November, both from 5pm to 9pm.

Redwings provides comprehensive advice and resources at redwings – fireworks, whilst the RSPCA offers guidance for pet, horse, and livestock owners through their Kind Sparks campaign.

How You Can Help

Members of the public can support the campaign by:

• Signing the Redwings petition calling for reduced noise levels
• Contacting local MPs to advocate for stronger fireworks laws
• Emailing local councils to implement the charities’ recommendations
• Informing neighbours about planned fireworks displays
• Attending organised displays rather than setting off backyard fireworks

Helen Whitelegg reflected on the ongoing anxiety: “It’s several years since Cinders, Sprite and Percy died in incidents relating to fireworks being let off near Redwings but, having seen for ourselves the awful suffering fireworks can cause, the season will always be an anxious time under current fireworks regulations.”

As Bonfire Night 2025 arrives, the message from both charities is clear: whilst fireworks are part of British culture and tradition, the current regulations are causing unnecessary suffering and death to thousands of animals every year. With a petition now heading to Parliament and cross-charity collaboration stronger than ever, there is hope that meaningful change may finally be on the horizon.