English Council bans funfair goldfish prizes

Funfairs have been banned from giving goldfish as prizes by Bristol City Council amid calls for a nationwide ban on the practice.    

It comes after Bristol mayor Marvin Rees told officers to rewrite events contracts after being informed about a campaign by the RSPCA to prohibit 'pets as prizes.'

Bristol joins a growing list of Councils to introduce the ban - including Newport, Caerphilly, Wrexham, Conwy, Sunderland, South Kesteven District, Rochford District, Eastbourne Borough, Lewes District and Barnstaple Town.  

The 'pets as prizes' practice is already illegal in Scotland but in the rest of the UK it is left up to local councils - although in England and Wales, it is an offence to gift anyone under 16 an animal as a prize unless they are accompanied by an adult. 

Bristol City previously outlawed any entertainment involving the use of live animals. 

The RSPCA's Pets as Prizes campaign said it regularly receives calls relating to animals being given away as prizes, particularly goldfish.

It said goldfish are often held in unsuitable plastic bags for long durations and taken to homes that are not adequately prepared to meet their welfare needs.