Croatia: Petition Launched to Ban and Restrict Pyrotechnics Use

(Patria) - The association Animal Friends Croatia has collected over 35,000 signatures in Croatia for its petition to ban pyrotechnics, reports HRT.

They launched it about ten days ago, after another New Year's Eve was marked by what they call, noisy terror across Croatia.

Since 2021, the use of F2 and F3 category firecrackers has been banned, but fireworks and similar pyrotechnic devices of the same categories are allowed from December 27 to January 1.

With the current initiative, Animal Friends wants stricter penalties and an expansion of the legal ban to other groups of noisy pyrotechnics.

According to their proposal, permitted pyrotechnic devices would only be allowed to be sold between December 29 and 31, and light pyrotechnics could only be used on New Year's Eve from 11 PM to 1 AM.

They also demand a ban on pyrotechnics advertising and their sale in grocery stores.

Firecrackers, fireworks, and other pyrotechnic devices negatively affect many. The consequences are primarily borne by animals – both domestic and wild.

Owners of pets such as dogs and cats testify that they tremble with fear throughout December, do not want to go for walks, and can even die from heart attacks.

Explosions of pyrotechnic devices frighten birds and other wild animals to death.

When discussing the impact of pyrotechnics on people – injuries caused by improper handling or faulty pyrotechnic devices are usually in the foreground.

However, deep and long-lasting wounds can also be left on mental health. Vulnerable groups include children, especially those with developmental disabilities, and individuals with PTSD. Anxiety and stress are the most common problems.

Animal Friends hopes that the exceptionally high public interest in their initiative will bear fruit. They have already written to the Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović and the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, but have not yet received a response.

They will persist, they say, in their endeavor because they have great public support – according to some surveys, 80 percent of them support a complete ban on loud pyrotechnics.

They invite everyone to sign the online petition available on the Animal Friends website.

Along with legislative changes – it is also necessary to work on changing the way pyrotechnics are perceived in society.

Adults are responsible for not presenting them to children as something fun and good, but rather to present firecrackers and other items as a potential danger on various levels.

First and foremost, children should be encouraged towards empathy and care for others, and made aware that such behavior can seriously harm many in their environment – both people and animals.