A farmer received insurance compensation after his cow, a Belgian blue and Limousin cross, was killed by a balloon released from a local school in south-east London.
Early last year, the National Farmers Union (NFU) called for a ban on Chinese lanterns but the current craze for mass releases of balloons and lanterns continues with many having been launched to celebrate the Royal Wedding.
On this occasion, red helium-filled balloons were set off by pupils at Lyndhurst Primary school, Camberwell to support a charity day for Comic Relief. But when one came down 50 miles away it killed a 13-month bullock on a Kent farm.
"When I found it, the string was wrapped round its tongue and the balloon was all round its neck, shutting off the airways," Richard Vant the farmer told the Telegraph.
“The balloon had a label attached showing it had been released by the primary school.”
Farmers unions, the Civil Aviation authority, marine rescue and fire services have all spoken out about the dangers to animals and property from lanterns and balloons.
As long ago as February 2010 the NFU press officer Mike Thomas explained that lanterns have a wire frame that can puncture a cow's stomach lining and could prove to be fatal.
Such was the case when Hugh Rowland's cow died earlier this year. Forty eight hours after the red poll cow was found on her side with a swollen neck and struggling for breath the cow died.
The vet believed that the cow had eaten part of a Chinese lantern and the fine wire had punctured her oesophagus.
Mr Vant's insurer eventually paid £889 in compensation for the death of his cow from the helium balloon having initially refused.
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Chinese lanterns are a hazard light
Unforeseeable? I wrote about this danger in 2008: http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=1490
Posted by: Andy Mabbett | May 12, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Hi Andy, thanks for the link, it is something that people should really think long and hard about - and then not do.
Posted by: Craig McGinty | May 13, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Thank you for the link to your article. While the danger is known, compensation means that there is now a possible penalty ahead for those releasing balloons. Is the Marine conservation society petition to ban them still active please? Good luck.
Posted by: carolmiers | May 14, 2011 at 03:51 PM