One week after Bonfire Night 2018 in Wales, a fireworks display was set off, causing a horse to go into a panic and die.
The distressing photographs of the horse, named Solo, were released by his devastated owner, Fiona Hohmann. Hohmann, who owned Solo for five years, hopes the photos show the reality of how fireworks can affect animals.
After discovering the horse in agony last Sunday, a concerned neighbor contacted Hohmann. Immediately, she knew something was wrong and headed straight to the field. At first sight, she knew Solo was dying.
Hohmann stresses that she doesn’t want to ruin peoples’ fun on Bonfire Night. She continues: “A week after bonfire night, fireworks should not be allowed to take place. How was I supposed to know that a display would be going off?”
Because she knew ahead of time that fireworks would be occurring on Bonfire Night, Hohmann was able to prepare appropriately. She locked Solo in his stable and stayed with him until midnight to help keep him calm.
But Solo was alone when the unannounced display of fireworks was ignited on Saturday night. He went into a panic from the noise and twisted his gut, tearing up the field grass with his frantic galloping. For 14 hours, Solo suffered alone.
By the time the vet arrived, Solo was in severe pain and was likely to die within the next hour, leaving them with only one option – to put Solo down.
Around midnight on Saturday, Hohmann heard some fireworks going off, but was watching television and didn’t realize how big the display was.
If Hohmann had known about the display, she could have taken measures to keep Solo safe. “My heart is truly broken. Myself and my husband are devastated. It’s bad enough losing an animal to illness or disease but this was just unnecessary distress and pain.”
Scared pets often run away from fireworks, and in this case, one died. The lesson? Think twice before setting them off.
Fireworks are the bane of my life as far as my dog is concerned. She suffers from stress related colitis and every year it’s the same, she has a very acute attack and is unwell and in pain for days, despite medication. I could cope with fireworks for one night in November, but it goes on for weeks. That poor horse was obviously terrified andif a bit of consideration by the organisers had been shown, the poor animal might still be alive.
Fireworks are a huge trauma for animals and wildlife. People don’t think of the dire consequences that setting fireworks sets off. This is tragic for this poor horse.
People are assholes. Pieces of crap
So sorry, fireworks should be banned except for organized display on the 5th November only then as horse/dog/cat owners we can be prepared.
Poor horse, my heart breaks. Fireworks should not be sold to the general public, they should be banned.They should only be sold for organised displays and only on Bonfire Night.
Why are we doing this to these poor beautiful animal’s. What a waste of a precious life and money which could go towards doing some good in this terrible world.
***Sigh*** What a tragedy. When will humans learn that there are consequences for careless actions. RIP Solo.
Why do people want fire works when they see what happens to these poor animals. What a complete waste of a beautiful life and money that could be spent on doing some good in this cruel world
There are animals out there that can’t stand noises. People need to respect the animals and should give the pet owners a heads up if they are going to fire off fireworks. Not every animal likes any kind of noise. Where is the common sense here? Where is the respect here? This horse did not have to die. People do have to be more responsible for their actions now. The horse’s owners are upset over the death of their horse and they have the right to be. How does this make it right? It does not make it right. This was not to smart. Think about the horse and the owners and how they feel now! They are sad. We are here to make sure this does not happen tto another pet owner. We need to make sure that animals are safe before setting off fireworks. Safety first.
The entire TOWN is responsible for this AVOIDABLE disaster! POOR POOR Solo! BAN FIREWORKS!!! DANGEROUS ON SO MANY LEVELS!!!
Ban the private sales of fireworks and only have safe public displays on the night and at NO other time.
heartbreaking …and that animal experience prolonged terror and suffering….all preventable!
With people starving , money could be spent on helping people not killing God’s Creations
I hate fireworks.
The money to display fireworks for a few minutes of entertainment could be much better spent to STOP fireworks displays and instead donate it to animal support groups.
fireworks should be banned everywhere
It’s about time fireworks were banned from being made. So sad.
If I cant write wat I really think of people then I wont write
So very sorry. I have horses and other animals and despise bonfire night. Why fireworks happen over a 2 week period is beyond me. People need also reminding about the law; up to 20k fine to stop these ignorant thoughtless individuals.
Poor Solo. I am so very sorry to hear of this tragedy. Unofficial, unannounced firework displays must be made illegal.
RIP Solo.
One more animal dead because of the thoughtless actions of stupid people. When will they learn to th hink before they act? 😡😠🤬
One more animal dead because of the thoughtless actions of stupid people. Think before you act. 😡😠🤬
My heart breaks for your horse’s needless suffering and death — I am so sorry — stupid fireworks shooting unexpectedly out of the blue —– what did we learn? – what do we do so this stupidity doesn’t reoccur? — stay with the horse until morning? — but who knew an explosion would come out of left field ? — I am so sorry for Solo and the Hohmann’s.
There’s a man in the neighborhood that shoots off fireworks on holidays and every other day. He’s obnoxious- scares all the animals in the area. I have called the Sheriff’s Dept, but they dont do anything. I think fireworks are dangerous and people have no idea how animals are negatively effected by the extreme loud noises they emit, not to mention that’s it’s just plain rude and self-centered.
The animals and people are more important than the fireworks.
Which image does this go with?
There is no need for fireworks. Sparklers are pretty, and they have the advantage of not upsetting, even panicking animals. Dogs have been known to crash through windows, horses have run themselves to death and war veterans with PTSD may relive horrific events.