Watch: Fireworks Terrorise Horses After Being Ignited Metres Away From Their Arena
A horse rider who has their horse stabled at paddocks just outside of an urban centre got in touch with Lovin Malta to express their concern about the protection of the property, and the welfare of the animals. Both are threatened, on a yearly basis, by fireworks being set off just a few metres away.
“Fireworks, big bangers and petards are let off literally metres away from where the horses are housed,” said Keely, who rents out space for her horse.
“I have complained to the police, to the local council, and it seems there’s nothing we can do about it in terms of law. I really feel it’s time that at least these fireworks permits would take into account the animal welfare aspect. It’s horrific.”
“There is no fire safety risk assessment before they’re issued these permits. I believe it’s just a matter of going to the local council, and they have, so everything is in order in terms of law.”
“However, the animal welfare act states that animals must not be exposed to unnatural or traumatic environments, which this obviously qualifies as.”
The Animal Welfare Act states that “the State shall endeavour to protect the life of animals and to prevent and punish acts of ill-treatment in their regard”.
“The State recognises that animals are sentient beings and that it has the duty to promote the welfare of animals, and that the welfare of animals is to be protected through the intervention of the State,” continues the AWA.
“The State recognises that it is its duty to collaborate with voluntary organisations in the field of animal welfare, and that it is its duty to promote the culture of respect towards animals.”
“I find it quite… not only baffling, its disgraceful,” said Keely.
The “culture of respect” being shown towards these horses, is truly impressive.
“You have horses running around the field in a state of panic, it looks like a war zone. We’ve had burning ember debris falling on the horses’ paddocks, horses having burns on their backs from falling burning debris,” she continued.
“Yesterday, fires in the paddock burned shades. I called the fire brigade three times yesterday, to put out fires. The biggest problem is that embers keep smouldering and it won’t be until a few hours later that there’s a full fire.”
The horse arena operators have sought to limit as much damage as possible by talking to those setting off fireworks.
When airborne explosions give way to raining embers, tumbling onto spooked horses who are understandably not sympathetic to culture-based justifications for the continued use of fireworks, there’s only so much that can be done.
“I told them yesterday that they need to at least let me know when they’re going to do these fireworks – so I make sure nobody is riding.”
“I teach children. There was a child on a horse when a banger went off, and obviously that’s extremely dangerous. You can easily get killed riding horses.”
This is not the first time that people have complained about animals in Malta being negatively effected by fireworks.
Videos from last year’s feast were sent to Lovin Malta, clearly showing how seriously distressed these animals were – as well as showing how close to their arena fireworks are being set off – but the problems don’t stop when the banging ceases.
Fireworks factories have recently been allotted an additional €170,000 intended to boost health and safety, and less dangerous alternatives to fireworks have been suggested, but unless messages about how destructive this particular tradition is are accepted by the public at large, the core problem may not be addressed.
Over the past few months, embers from fireworks have even set light to dry vegetation – which in times of climate catastrophe, should be cause for massive concern. As summer months progress, this natural kindling only gets drier.
Keely shared an email sent to the local council from 2022, requesting information about when the area would be cleaned after the fireworks left the valley in disarray – but this issue has been ongoing since 2019.
Photos of fireworks debris found inside the arena and paddocks in 2019
“On top of animal welfare there’s also property damage. We’ve had numerous small fires in the paddocks, the shading burnt, in previous years we’ve had a solar panel burned, it’s beyond a joke really.”
They also have to deal with the added issue of using their arena after it has been strewn with debris, much of which consists of used, broken and sharp pieces of metal, which Keely likened to “shrapnel”.
She also pointed out the hypocrisy of regulations preventing people from littering, which are disregarded under circumstances which many consider to be culturally justifiable.
“You walk down the valley, if you drop a piece of litter, you’ll get a fine.”
“Apparently when it comes to the feast, and the whole valley looks like its been through a war zone, that’s totally fine because that’s part of the feast. As long as it comes under the name of band club or religion of some sort, it gets a green light and no-one cares.”
“I appreciate that it’s a tradition. However there are other factors to consider such as welfare, environment and safety.”
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