For the sake of the animals:

Do without firecrackers at bonfires

Spark Sunday is just around the corner.(Bild: Mathis Fotografie)

More and more often, traditional bonfires are accompanied by firecrackers - which some people find unpleasant. However, firecrackers can even cause pain to animals. Provincial Councillor Rüscher therefore appeals to people to refrain from using firecrackers. 

The traditional Bonfire Sunday is just around the corner - for many people in Vorarlberg, it's an event they don't want to miss. However, in addition to lighting the fire and serving "Funkaküachle", firecrackers have also become popular in many places in recent years. While people usually perceive this as part of the colorful spectacle without thinking, it is often a painful noise pollution for domestic, farm and wild animals. 

Fireworks are an enormous source of stress for animals, who suffer from the unfamiliar noise and flashes of light. As many animals have much more sensitive hearing than humans, they perceive the crashing and banging much more intensely - for them, the sound pressure caused by fireworks is not only loud, but painful. For this reason, pets should never be taken to the sparkling area or even in the vicinity.

Fireworks not necessary
Provincial councillor Martina Rüscher and animal welfare ombudswoman Ruth Sonnweber therefore call for fireworks to be avoided altogether. "For animals, fireworks and firecrackers are associated with severe fear and suffering. This should be given special consideration on Spark Sunday - the beautiful tradition of burning off sparks should not be 'spiced up' with lots of noise and fireworks in the interests of animal welfare," Rüscher and Sonnweber agree.