Cross Breeds

Should mass balloon launches be banned to protect the animals?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7447381.stm One limited case and they all jump on the bandwagon? Views on this

Public Comments

1. it's hardly one limited case though is it "In the last 10 years we have seen a 260% increase in the number of balloons we are finding on our beaches." surely killing animals is a price too high to pay just for letting go of a few balloons?
2. ban `em,They are not very environmentally friendly,,,
3. hmmm, it never occurred to me it they would hurt animals, but i have to say i do agree, if not for the animals, for environmental factors. those balloons don't float into space, they burst and the non-biodegradable rubber/ latex falls back down. wonder why the police don't charge them with littering but they can charge a woman because her baby dropped a piece of degradable food on the ground.
4. probably a good idea, and then look at ways of limiting the birds killed, or maimed by the detrius left behind by anglers and also the oil spills that happen on a regular basis killing wildlife.
5. I have seen shreds of balloons all over the countryside near where I live and I strongly believe they should be banned. The material left when a balloon bursts could, and probably does kill small creatures who ingest them thinking they are food. Why can't they make the balloons out of bio-degradable material instead of rubber? I hate balloons, I may even have a kind of phobia about them so I do feel strongly about this, one, for the animals that could get injured and two, for me!
6. The animals were probably just trying to suck any remaining helium out so they could pretend they had a squeaky voice.
7. If someone threw an already popped balloon on the ground it would be littering. If you fill it with helium and let it go, somehow it isn't? Shouldn't it be illegal already, no matter how it affects the animals later? Its still litter. n
8. Ban them, its littering by another name. Everyone is looking at reducing the number of plastic bags we use and these have a practical use. What use are the ballons serving?
9. I heard the suggestion that they should all be filled with air. Imagine the spectical!!!
10. I've always wondered why releasing loads of balloons wasn't just littering. I think that things like this (fireworks are another good example) are just pointless and outdated. I can't think of any reason in favour of mass balloon releases, and clearly there are reasons against it. So yes, they should be banned. Everyone will kick off and waffle on about nanny states for a few weeks, but I doubt there will be anyone who would genuinely miss them.
11. I'm sick to death with the Health & safety crowd,environmentalists,political correctness & all the rest of that crap.If you really don't want animals hurt,then ban all fishing,hunting,& slaughtering for meat.The way things are going,we'll be getting big fines for farting,(((Methane gas,baaaaaad)
12. I tried realising a load of balloons on Sunday after a Birthday party and you know how far the balloons went. three feet in all mind you they did drop from the third floor. Then this stalking cat of mine rushed them and burst them. Sure glad I was not a balloon them claws were mean.
13. If this helps save just one innocent animal and help protect the environment then it obviously gets my vote.
14. Despite their bright and happy intentions when it comes down to it aren't mass balloon launches just mass littering? Think about it. Then we have to think about how critical and important to our lives are balloon launches...Not in the slightest. They're littering, kill wildlife and are of no critical importance or use to us. Get rid!
15. Yes. It has been proved that these balloon releases cause problems for the wildlife. They r not necessary so if it is causing a problem, best refrain.
16. I should cocoa, what about all those poor balloon sausage dogs ?