"German medical groups and police unions have long pushed for bans on private individuals setting off fireworks, citing the annual toll in injuries, especially from illegal and homemade explosives. The call has been joined by environmental groups worried about fine-particle air pollution - and by animal welfare groups. "Noise, the smell of burning, and flashing lights are a nightmare for animals," warned the German Animal Welfare Federation."
"The head of Berlin's two zoos, Andreas Knieriem, also called for a city-centre fireworks ban, arguing that the blasts and flashes in the sky stress animals in the enclosures, in homes and in the wild. "We can be grateful that we live in a country at peace," he said. "Why some people voluntarily want to create a war-like atmosphere in their neighbourhood is a mystery to me.""
More than 40,000 tonnes of fireworks are set off across Germany on New Year's Eve, prompting many pet owners to seek quieter locations, including hotels near airports where fireworks are banned. A dog owner described her pet's previous night of continuous barking, trembling and panting that raised fears of a heart attack. Medical groups and police unions call for bans on private fireworks because of annual injuries, especially from illegal or homemade explosives. Environmental groups warn of fine-particle air pollution. Animal welfare organisations and zoo directors cite severe stress to animals in enclosures, homes and the wild. The government has so far resisted nationwide private-fireworks bans.
Read at The Local Germany
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