Research vital before acquiring fish

Following the unanimous decision, Lee Gingell, RSPCA’s public affairs manager for local government in England, said: “We are delighted that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council have approved this ban.

“We ultimately hope both the UK

Government and Welsh Government take note of this growing campaign and ban pets as prizes outright.”

“Sadly – despite many believing it is a thing of the past – we still do hear of instances of pets being given out as prizes.

“But animal ownership is a big responsibility – and while goldfish can make great companions, they shouldn't be acquired via a spur-of-the-moment game.

“They’re misunderstood pets – as they can make great companions; but can actually be challenging to look after and new owners must do their research before they acquire the fish, not afterwards.

“When bringing a fish home for the first time, it’s important to set the tank up at least two weeks in advance to make sure it’s all running smoothly, and this just isn’t possible for someone who’s won a fish without being prepared for it.”