A Questionably Legal Fireworks Show in Santa Monica Killed Our Dog

Due to the devastating impact caused by fireworks, The City of Santa Monica legally prohibits any use of them, making all fireworks illegal in the City of Santa Monica. Despite the statute, an unlawful yet permitted professional fireworks show killed my dog last year.

The Beach Club, a private club in Santa Monica, circumvents the law by claiming its parking lot sits over the city boundary in Los Angeles.

By doing so, they received a last-minute permit to launch fireworks on July 3rd from Santa Monica, over the public beach of Santa Monica, without warning or notice to the surrounding residents, a city where fireworks are prohibited. The only people in the know where they're private members. It was dangerous, illegal, and caused irreparable harm.

This unannounced "private" fireworks show directly over a Santa Monica public beach triggered the tragic and violent death of my rescue dog Darwin and introduced unbearable grief and trauma into my family's life.

The Club is skirting the law again and is a danger to the public. As a private club, they are not required to issue a public notice, even though they reside in a Fireworks Free City.

Not only are fireworks a severe fire hazard, but veterans and people with disabilities also suffer immensely from fireworks.

On July 3rd, my partner and I took our dog Darwin as usual. No reason to think about fireworks. The City of Santa Monica posted which stated: "SANTA MONICA IS A FIREWORKS FREE CITY; illegal use is punishable by law."

Without warning, like a bomb, there was an explosion of fireworks, which continued rapidly above us. The sound sent my 60 lb., one ½-year-old rescue dog to think she was under attack. She shook, bucked to get free, and ran for her life. Not strong enough to hold the leash, my partner's screams for "Darwin" were muffled and drowned out by the constant barrage of fireworks. I started sprinting while a stranger yelled, "you'll never catch her; she is running five times faster than you." He was right; we couldn't run fast enough. Darwin tried to find refuge from the onslaught of fireworks at our home, down the bike path, and, disoriented, curbed the PCH. Just as I caught up, she was hit by a car and killed. The car didn't even stop. Her body lay on the road while a pool of blood formed around her. SMPD witnessed the event and tried to assist, blocking traffic as I watched her lifeless in front of me. Witnesses, including children, struggled with what they had just seen.

We watched our dog killed painfully and violently. It shouldn't have happened and was entirely preventable.

Incredulously, the Fire Marshall for Santa Monica posted a video on 6/29/21, a day before The Beach Club was issued a permit, reminding the community that fireworks are illegal and prohibited and stating that "no 4th celebration would include a professional fireworks show in Santa Monica". Tips to have a safe July 4th in Santa Monica

The LA County permit was issued to The Beach Club's Santa Monica address on 6/30/21 at 4:35 pm. There was no time to inform the public, and they made no effort to do so.

In the interest of public safety, we have asked The Beach Club not to include fireworks in this year's event. The Beach Club believes the fireworks are a tradition for their private members blaming the problems experienced last year on the Pyrotechnics Company they hired.

This year, The Beach Club intends to hold its private fireworks show on July 2nd, 2022.

We share our tragedy as a cautionary tale, doing everything we can to prevent this from happening again. If we can't stop the fireworks show from taking place, at the very least, we can inform our neighbors and surrounding community.

If the City of Santa Monica is fireworks-free, it should be equally fireworks-free, including for the rich.

We started a petition, "Stop the Beach Club's questionably legal fireworks display that killed my dog," and would be grateful if you share it with your friends or on social media.

Please help us find meaning in her death by preventing other animals from suffering the same fate! We are grateful for your support; a signature will make a difference.

Sign Petition Here

This is Darwin. I'll take any opportunity to keep her memory alive.

We want to express our gratitude to SMPD for its empathy in service.

Supporting documents below:

• Fireworks permit issued to Santa Monica address.
• LAFD Fireworks Show Directory (The Beach Club is not listed)
• The City of Santa Monica's response to a public record request stating a permit was issued to The Beach Club parking lot.