(JUNE 18, 2025) — Fireworks users need to be diligent about where they set off fireworks in unincorporated Cherokee County, following an amendment to the county’s noise ordinance.
At its regular meeting June 17, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a noise ordinance amendment that prohibits the use of fireworks within 200 yards of an equine facility – this includes confined pastures, arenas and barns. Recent legislation passed in the 2025 Georgia General Assembly and signed by the governor authorizes local jurisdictions to regulate fireworks use as it relates to activity in the vicinity of horses.
The penalty is up to a $1,000 fine or 60 days in jail, if convicted in Magistrate Court.
District 2 Commissioner Richard Weatherby said he knows of at least two people personally who have experienced injuries due to a horse’s reaction to fireworks explosion sounds.
“I love fireworks. But I would never shoot off fireworks where I live because of the horses around me. I know of two people who were in stalls taking care of horses when fireworks were being set off. One got a broken leg, one got a broken arm,” Weatherby said. “It scares horses to death, and it’s a danger to them and a danger to people who take care of them.”
Prior to its vote Tuesday, the Board held a public hearing during which seven people spoke, all of whom were affiliated with the equestrian community and shared information with commissioners about how fireworks noise affects horses.
“While horse owners may anticipate and prepare for fireworks on major holidays like Fourth of July, they often do it through sedation or relocation. This approach quickly becomes unmanageable when fireworks are used days before and after the holiday,” resident Jodie Davis said during the public hearing, adding horses are flight animal by nature and when spooked by fireworks noise, there is added risk of them running through a fence or breaking out of a barn injuring themselves, a person, and/or property. “Desensitizing horses to fireworks is nearly impossible. Unlike other noises, fireworks are unpredictable and infrequent making it difficult to acclimate horses to them.”
Resident Danielle Cook spoke during the public hearing, saying people previously have set off fireworks over her pasture, and she stays out in the pasture on these holidays to try to keep her horses safe but also to keep watch of her barn in case it catches fire. Preparation ahead of the fireworks holidays for her farm include removing heavy equipment from the barn and deciding whether to pasture the horses or keep in them in the barn. “Either way, it’s risky,” she said.
Several speakers spoke of special precautions they must take and long-term health issues that the response from fireworks can cause like a pregnant mare miscarrying and colic, the highest cause of death for horses.
The Cherokee County Equestrian group indicated they would do their part in alerting to people of their locations where horses are present. Lori DePucci told Commissioners during the public hearing that she created yard signs to put out a week ahead of a fireworks holiday and indicated the equestrian group can have more created to share with horse owners.
“The public just doesn’t know how dangerous it can be,” DePucci said. “We would like to do our part, chip in and have more signs created.”
She added that she would like the county to make it mandatory that any place selling fireworks must post a copy of the ordinance. Chairman Harry Johnston indicated that the county would have to look into whether or not the county can require such an action.
