Animals are often TERRIFIED by fireworks..

Packington is in a rural area surrounded by fields with animals in them. Lots of village folk have dogs and cats.  It’s likely that things will seem to go “bang” this week and next, and these animals won’t like that. Animals can panic and even die where people don’t take care.

We’re lucky in this country that most people understand being frightened, and wouldn’t want their pretty and spectacular fireworks to cause fright or fear in animals. Most of us take care about when and where we set off our loud and sudden visual delights. 

If YOU see or know people who don’t seem to understand the problem, please try to mention to them that we also have laws:

• It’s an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to cause any unnecessary suffering to any captive or domestic animal.
• Fireworks MUST NOT be set off near livestock or horses in fields, or close to buildings that house livestock.
• Causing unnecessary suffering carries a fine of up to £20,000, and / or a prison term of up to six months.
• It is illegal for anyone under 18 to possess a firework in a public place
• The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places.
• Fireworks must not be set off by a private individual between 11pm and 7am except for certain nights of the year – bonfire night when the cutoff is midnight, and New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am
• You can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.

If your premises are adjacent to property containing animals, you must not let off fireworks there. Take them some-where else!

There are excellent displays in the local area, including at Packington’s own Recreation Ground at 7pm on Bonfire Night.

Villagers who own or manage animals asked us to mention these facts, and to say “Thank You” for your concern and understanding.