Fireworks plea after Horley woman's horse euthanised

Talullah, seen here with owner Joanna Barnett, collapsed injured after bolting and had to be put down

A woman whose horse bolted during a new year fireworks display and ended up having to be put down has urged people to attend organised displays.

Joanna Barnett, from Horley, Surrey, posted an appeal on Facebook after losing her "best friend Talullah".

She said her horse ran through a wooden fence and collapsed injured on a road.

Vets treated Talullah but she was later put down. Ms Barnett believes the "unnecessary death" was a result of people letting off fireworks close by.

She said: "In future, I beg you to please consider going to a well publicised, organised display, instead of doing one at home."

Ms Barnett said she wanted people to put a stop to the excessive use of fireworks near livestock.

She wrote: "My heart is broken, we have lost our very much loved family pet, my horse of a lifetime gone forever for someone's few minutes of gratification.

"For the sake of the other animals and livestock, please can we come together to make sure no other animals suffer a horrific tragic death like my best friend Talullah did."

Ms Barnett said she had lost a much-loved family pet for someone's "few minutes of gratification"

Mark Kennedy, RSPCA horse welfare expert, said the charity wanted tighter controls, adding: "We would like to see a greater limitation on the period over which fireworks can be sold and crucially, a limit on the days they can actually be let off because one of the difficulties for horse owners is knowing when you're going to hear these fireworks."

He said firework use currently started in October and continued right through until January, and firework control zones could provide protection for animals, including wildlife areas, sanctuaries, farms and zoos.

Steve Raper, British Fireworks Association chairman, said fireworks were a tradition which the association promoted, but they also promoted their "safe and considerate use".

He said it was very straightforward to let neighbours know about any plans for private displays.

"If everybody buys legitimate lawfully-sourced fireworks and uses them in a responsible and considerate way, then everybody can enjoy a pastime that's been part of our psyche for decades," he said.

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