An Open Letter to whom it may concern
This petition is simple, straightforward and long overdue.
This year, like every year before it, hundreds of people will be injured, property will be destroyed, animals terrified and injured and thousands of pounds of public funds will be wasted on emergency services responding to a completely preventable danger.
All of this because Fireworks are freely available in this country.
You only have to talk to Emergency Services workers about Fireworks and the suffering they cause to wonder why they are allowed. Speak to the RSPCA or any Vet or Farmer and you will learn of the suffering they cause animals all over the country.
Every year the government appeals for the public to take care on Guy Fawkes Night. The fact is that despite this the injuries continue. Is it not time the government actually did something about preventing the problem? As a homeowner with pets, I have decided to take a stand to protect people, animals and property. Many people, including myself have had lighted fireworks thrown at our animals our property and ourselves. Even if you have not been directly affected, Fireworks still cost you money.
Last year in my area of King's Lynn seven, Dog LitterBins were blown up by fireworks. Luckily, no one was hurt this time. However, the cost of replacing those bins was over £1,000 in parts only. These along with the cost of other works of firework vandalism are added to the tax bill of every household in the Borough. It takes little imagination to realise this is happening all over the country.
Tightening up regulations will not work. Already we have very stringent laws on the sale of alcohol, tobacco, glue and knives. Yet, children easily and frequently obtain them, as any street corner will show. How many children have you seen smoking? How many have you seen with cans of beer? We waste thousands of pounds on trying to enforce these hopeless regulations. Honest shopkeepers fear being caught out by ever-smarter kids out to break the law.
Unlike glue and knives, there is absolutely no need for fireworks. The simplest, foolproof and most enforceable option is to ban their sale to the public completely and that is what this petition calls for.
No one wants to spoil the fun of Guy Fawkes Night or put Fireworks manufacturers out of business. Let us have licensed displays. Indeed if the public can not buy their own fireworks that should mean better attendance at displays and more demand for the expensive display fireworks from the organisers. Even if things do go wrong at a display at least the emergency services can be in attendance on standby which they can not do if they are running all over the place to everyone's back garden.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
These are just a few cases known to us directly there are many more out there. Only last year a friend of mine,an elderly lady, was walking her dog in a local park when a group of youths threw lighted fireworks at her. This was reported to the police who could do nothing. Last year gangs of children in local housing estates were seen throwing lighted fireworks at property and each other. Newspaper reports occur every year of animals that have had fireworks tied to their bodies, fireworks used as weapons, fireworks put through letter boxes, thrown out of cars at people, rockets aimed at people, down busy main streets and at passing cars. Even when they are used "properly" they go astray hurting people, animals and property.
If you agree with this petition and would like to help please print the petitions form and distribute it in your area. You might try putting the forms in your Doctors or Veterinary surgery, your local post office and RSPCA and Animal Rescue shelters. My address to return the petition form to is at the bottom as is the closing date. Thank you for your time and help.
Teresa Kulkarni