RSPCA seeks national ban on goldfish prizes at fairs

WINNING a goldfish at a funfair is set to become a thing of the past, as another English council bans them from being handed out as prizes.

Marvin Rees, the mayor of Bristol, has ordered his events teams to ensure live animals cannot be given to winners of fairground games.

The RSPCA’S Pets As Prizes campaign said it is cruel to keep goldfish in small plastic bags and many will die before their new owners get them home.

Giving away live animals as prizes is illegal in Scotland. In England and Wales it is only an offence if the person receiving the prize is under 16 and not accompanied by an adult.

Bristol has joined a list of councils to ban it including Newport, Caerphilly, Wrexham, Conwy, Sunderland, South Kesteven, Rochford, Eastbourne, Lewes and Barnstaple Town.

Conservative Jonathan Hucker, on Bristol council, said most people do not know how to care for fish, and many die from shock or poor treatment within hours of being won.

“The mayor will agree with me that this commercial practice is totally unacceptable in our more enlightened age,” he said. “The use of live animals as trophies disrespects, and exploits species as well as being extremely harmful for their welfare.” Mr Rees replied: “I fully support your aims.”

The RSPCA regularly receives calls relating to animals being given away as prizes, particularly goldfish.

“Fairs can evoke a sense of nostalgia for many, with fairground jingles, sugared doughnuts and arcade game prizes,” said the charity.

“There’s no fun at the fair for the animals given away as prizes. Goldfish are held in unsuitable plastic bags for long durations and taken to homes that aren’t prepared to meet their needs.

“While candy floss comes in bags, pets shouldn’t. Goldfish are easily stressed and very often fish that are won as prizes suffer miserably from shock, oxygen starvation or die from changes in water temperature.”

Rachel Williams, the RSPCA’S senior parliamentary adviser for England, said she was “delighted” that Bristol had implemented the ban.

“There’s huge momentum behind this RSPCA campaign and we’re over the moon to see so many local authorities already pass the RSPCA’S notice of motion on this issue,” she said.

“As Covid restrictions ease, there’s a real risk that goldfish as prizes will return as funfairs and festivals resume. While a nationwide ban on this remains the RSPCA’S aim, councils are ideally placed to act locally.”