Deputy urges firework law change to help animals

A Jersey politician is calling for the law governing fireworks on the island to be changed.

Deputy Max Andrews said he believed animals became distressed by the noise and lights of firework displays.

He tried to stop a firework display from going ahead last November due to these concerns, but failed.

Currently anyone over the age of 18 can buy fireworks in Jersey and can hold their own display.

Andrews said people should be more considerate of animal welfare.

He said: "Having spoken to several members of the public, it has been evident that the current use of fireworks is causing distress to animals.

"As a result, action has to be taken to reform the governance arrangements around the use and distribution of fireworks to better protect animals."

Andrews said he understood "some people" were "anti-ethical" about changing the law but asked them to "be considerate of animals' welfare because animals' welfare has been impacted upon".

He is set to meet Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, on 16 January.

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