A recent Facebook post is a grim reminder how dangerous balloon releases are to animals. Here is an edited version of that post.
To the person who sent balloons skyward. I am sorry you lost your dad, but I am afraid the balloon didn’t reach him. Instead, I might have lost a pony. This was in our horses’ field. The balloon string got stuck in our pony’s mouth. When he put his head up to walk away the balloon scared him, so he tried to run away.
Unfortunately, the balloon didn’t go away, and it stayed with him as if chasing him. He ran and ran, eventually running in to a barb wire fence and thick hedge. We caught him to free him. Luckily, he was only sweaty and exhausted plus a few nicks.
We all miss our loved ones. Rather than balloons or lanterns please plant a tree or light a candle because next time we might not be so lucky.
Source: Facebook, July 3, 2022. Link and names withheld to protect privacy.
Also see: Why the balloon release tradition is terrible for the environment, Forbes, May 28, 2019. Link.