PETA Asks Cash-Strapped Jersey City to Cancel Fireworks--Permanently

Innovative Laser Shows Provide All the 'Wow' Factor Without Scaring Animals or Busting the City's Budget, Says Group

For Immediate Release:
July 2, 2010

Contact:
Ashley Byrne 757-622-7382

Jersey City, N.J. -- After learning that Jersey City has canceled its roughly $240,000 Fourth of July fireworks display because of budget constraints, PETA sent a letter to Maryanne Kelleher, director of the city's Division of Cultural Affairs, urging her to ban fireworks displays in favor of dazzling laser light shows. In the letter, PETA points out that laser shows--while providing all the awe of a fireworks display--are more affordable than fireworks, which have recently soared in price, and are kinder to animals and the environment. PETA also provided the city with the names of several top laser show operators.

"Fireworks displays are a nightmare for both domestic and wild animals," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "By switching to laser shows, Jersey City can wow watchers, protect animals, and save money--all at the same time."

To cats and dogs, fireworks displays must seem more like War of the Worlds than a celebration. After these displays, animal shelters nationwide report an increase in the number of lost animal companions. Many animals go missing because they panic and jump over fences or break chains; some even jump through plate-glass windows in order to get away from the terrifying sounds. Some lucky animals are reunited with their families, but others are never found or are hit by cars or killed in other ways as they flee.

Fireworks displays are also disastrous for wildlife. Besides being frightening, fireworks produce plumes of smoke that are harmful to animals' respiratory systems and pollute standing water. The California Coastal Commission banned the city of Gualala's fireworks display after a 2006 show caused nesting seabirds to flee their nests and abandon their chicks. Laser light shows provide a safe but equally entertaining alternative to fireworks because they are quieter and produce no smoke or chemical pollution.

For more information, please visit PETA.org or click here.