PETA Urging Niagara Falls Tourism to Scrap Nightly Fireworks Show

PETA says Niagara Falls Tourism should switch to nightly or laser or drone shows, as fireworks can cause stress for wildlife and domestic animals.

The President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is asking Niagara Falls Tourism to consider drone or laser shows in lieu of nightly fireworks. 

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk has written a letter to Niagara Falls Tourism President Janice Thomson, in response to the news that the Falls Fireworks series will return for 144 consecutive shows starting May 20th. 

Newkirk says loud fireworks not only causes stress for children, veterans and the elderly, but can also cause anxiety for household pets and wildlife. 

"Scientists studying waterfowl discovered that in reaction to fireworks shows, birds fly en masse to dangerously high altitudes and stay aloft for as long as 45 minutes, leaving them exhausted and vulnerable. Fireworks also produce smoke and dust laden with toxic particles that are harmful to the respiratory systems of humans and other animals."

She also notes terrified dogs tend to climb or dig their way out of fenced-in yards in order to get away from the noise, which results in an increase in stray animals coming into shelters, some with broken bones or bloody paws.

Newkirk suggests Niagara Falls Tourism switch to drone or laser shows instead. 

The full letter is available below. 

April 26, 2022

Janice Thomson

President and CEO

Niagara Falls Tourism

Dear Ms. Thomson:

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters globally, including many thousands across Ontario, in response to the news that the Falls Fireworks Series will be returning for 144 consecutive days beginning next month. We strongly urge you to cancel this months-long bombardment and switch to alternatives that everyone can enjoy - such as drone or laser shows, which would allow noise-sensitive wildlife, domestic animals, children, veterans, and elderly people to experience a quieter, cleaner, and less stressful summer.

As you know, loud fireworks displays cause a great deal of stress, anxiety, and fear in wild animals and others. Startled birds have abandoned their nests and crashed into homes, windows, and each other. In one instance, more than 5,000 dead or dying red-winged blackbirds fell from the sky during a fireworks display in Beebe, Arkansas. And scientists studying waterfowl discovered that in reaction to fireworks shows, the birds fly en masse to dangerously high altitudes and stay aloft for as long as 45 minutes, leaving them exhausted and vulnerable. Fireworks also produce smoke and dust laden with toxic particles that are harmful to the respiratory systems of humans and other animals.

Traditional fireworks sound like an all-out war to dogs and cats - and their use has devastating consequences. Terrified dogs climb or dig their way out of fenced-in yards as they frantically try to escape the chaos, resulting in increased stray-animal intakes at shelters, which further strains community resources. Many arrive with bloody paws or broken bones, some are never reunited with their families, and others are doomed to a worse fate. In addition, veterans and others suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder can be deeply disturbed by the noise of the explosives and the smell of gunpowder.

Niagara Falls already has so much to offer. Please consider canceling this fireworks series and instead hosting drone or laser shows - which are safer, produce virtually no air pollution, and are growing in popularity. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid Newkirk

President

cc:       David Adames, CEO, Niagara Parks Commission