A high-profile animal rights group said it sent a snarky gift of earplugs to the Fort Lauderdale mayor and city commissioners after they snubbed a proposed drones-only show to replace the city’s Fourth of July fireworks.
While many cities across the U.S. have replaced fireworks with drone light shows, Fort Lauderdale’s city commission agreed last week the fireworks show will go on to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.
The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was not pleased.
“Fireworks terrorize wildlife and companion animals, torment people with PTSD and dump toxic chemicals into the air, water and soil,” PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk said. “PETA urges the mayor and the Fort Lauderdale commissioners to let the fireworks fizzle out and switch to drones that will delight everyone while leaving animals in peace.”
Along with the earplugs, PETA enclosed a letter pointing out that more pets go missing on Independence Day than on any other day of the year. Shelters across the country take in 30% to 60% more animals between July 3 and 6, many of whom arrive with bloody paws or broken bones, PETA says.
The “gift” from PETA has not yet arrived, Mayor Dean Trantalis told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
One city commissioner did say he wanted to get rid of fireworks altogether. That was Ben Sorensen, who first brought up the idea of switching to drones during a City Hall meeting on Oct. 23.
“I still think it’s the right thing to do to have drones only,” Sorensen told the Sun Sentinel. “I don’t know when I’ll bring it back up, but I will. Everyone wants big fireworks because it’s the 250th birthday of the county.”
Fort Lauderdale spent $145,000 on its Fourth of July fireworks show last year. A drone show would cost around $80,000.
Sorensen said he has not given up hope that the city will one day do away with its fireworks show entirely.
“I still think we can move to a drones-only show that is healthy, clean, safe and respectful for all living creatures — and much cheaper,” he said. “It’s a cost savings as well. There’s so many reasons it’s the right thing to do.”
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan