Animal rights activists are calling for a ban on fireworks

The animal rights organization PETA continues to advocate for a ban on private and public fireworks in Germany. The animal rights activists are using this Saturday’s edition of the so-called Pyro Games in Dresden as an opportunity to once again highlight the dangers to animals. “What is planned as a spectacular event means mortal fear for countless animals,” the organization stated.

Fireworks cause animals to be terrified

“Hosting a fireworks competition that terrifies animals, exposes people to noise, and pollutes the environment with harmful substances is completely inappropriate and unnecessary. It is unacceptable that exploding fireworks terrify dogs, cats, and wild animals,” said PETA advocate Tobias Schalyo. It is long overdue to abolish such harmful events.

Birds flee to great heights in shock

According to PETA, wild animals in particular experience life-threatening stress due to the noise of fireworks. “As a rule, they flee from the extreme noise. Many birds, in a state of shock, flee to altitudes that are unusual for them, which results in a significant loss of energy.” Plumes of smoke and bright flares could also lead to disorientation. Often, the animals do not recover from the shock until days or even weeks later.