Barnsley’s ‘Tech Town’ Rebrand Prompts PETA Call for Drone Shows Over Fireworks

Barnsley’s ‘Tech Town’ Rebrand Prompts PETA Call for Drone Shows Over Fireworks

Barnsley, South Yorkshire – Following reports that Barnsley has been named the UK’s first official “tech town,” PETA sent a letter to the Mayor of Barnsley, Dave Leech, urging him to embrace the town’s high-tech rebrand by replacing its annual fireworks display with an animal-friendly drone or laser show.

“Fireworks are deeply frightening for wildlife and companion animals. The loud booms and flashes are perceived as threats and can have devastating consequences,” writes PETA Senior Campaigns Manager Kate Werner. “Richer in colour effects and visual choreography than conventional displays, drone and laser light displays offer a peaceful celebration that delivers all the flash without the frightening noise.”

PETA points out that fireworks’ terrifying booms cause confusion and panic among wildlife and companion animals. Following conventional fireworks displays, animal rescue centres often see an increase in the number of lost dogs, many of whom panic and break loose from leads or jump over fences or even through glass windows in an attempt to get away from the terrifying sounds. Loud displays also scare wild animals, such as deer, causing them to flee onto roads, where they are at risk of being struck and killed by vehicles and endanger drivers. And the stress isn’t limited to animals: noise-sensitive children, older adults, veterans, and those who have post-traumatic stress disorder can also find the noise of the explosives disturbing.

PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way” – points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits. For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

Contact:

Lucy Watson +44 (0) 20 7837 6327; [email protected]

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