The Plaza Hotel's plan to hold weekly fireworks shows from Memorial Day to the 4th of July will cause significant harm to local wildlife and pets. Fireworks can induce severe stress in animals, leading to injuries or death from shock. Additionally, veterans and police officers with PTSD are often triggered by loud explosions. Furthermore, fireworks contribute to air pollution, worsening the already poor air quality in Las Vegas. We urge The Plaza Hotel to reconsider this plan for the well-being of our community and environment. If you do continue the show, please only use silent fireworks.

Please sign this petition to protect our animals, veterans, and air quality!

WHY:

Startling birds

The sudden lights and sounds of fireworks can startle birds like great blue herons and nesting bald eagles, which can cause them to flee. This can lead to birds flying into buildings and other obstacles, abandoning their nests, or flying so far out to sea that they don't have the energy to return.

Frightening other animals

The loudness and unpredictability of fireworks can cause anxiety and stress in other animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, and horses. This can lead to a range of behaviors, including hiding, pacing, shaking, crying, or fleeing. Studies suggest that up to 50% of dogs are afraid of fireworks.

Polluting the environment

Fireworks can release toxic chemicals into the air and water, which can be harmful to the environment. Some of these chemicals, like strontium, aluminum, barium, cadmium, dioxins, and rubidium, are radioactive and known carcinogens.

Article from Sierra Club:

''Also, loud sounds can cause animals physical pain and may be even more damaging to animals’ hearing than they are to humans. Decibels at 85 or above are damage-causing to both human and nonhuman animals, and fireworks often range from 150 to 175 decibels, which is one reason why animals react so forcefully.''

''The loudness and unpredictability of fireworks can cause in dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, and even horses a range of anxiety and stress behaviors, including acting passive or aggressive; making audible sounds like barking or neighing, whining, howling, or whimpering; pawing; chewing or biting; drooling; shaking; hiding; or stiffening. ''

''The ASPCA warns that nearly one in five lost pets go missing due to loud noises like fireworks.''