THERE has been outrage and "disgust" after goldfish were given out as prizes at a firework display and one was later found on a beach in its plastic bag.

The goldfish were given as prizes at the recent bonfire night event in Brooks Field, Rhyl, on Sunday, November 5. 

Rhyl Town Council confirmed to the Journal that Rhyl Fire Station Welfare and Recreation Club organise the event. However, North Wales Fire and Rescue informed the Journal that the Rhyl event, held on private land, is "supported by the local station, who organise the bonfire and fireworks element of the evening only".

A spokesperson added: "Funding is provided by Rhyl Town Council, with the catering and fairground being organised and run by  independent companies."

In September, Denbighshire County Council became the latest local authority to ban animal prizes at events but this currently applies only on council owned land. 

The council also agreed to write to policy-makers to urge for an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes on both public and private land.

Rhyl councillor Keith Jones said: "It is shocking that giving out pets as prizes still happens. As a keen environmentalist and a pet owner I fervently believe that giving away pets, in this case goldfish, as prizes is an outdated practice that belongs in history books and has no place in modern society.

"I was saddened to find that this is still happening, especially in the light of Denbighshire’s recent decision to ban the giving out of pets as prizes on its land. But the Bonfire event is held on private land, Brookes Field, so sadly Denbighshire would have had no control over this situation.

"More needs to be done to protect these animals, many of whom will possibly and sadly die before they reach their new homes.

"Goldfish are easily stressed and very often fish that are won as prizes suffer miserably from shock, oxygen starvation or from changes in water temperature. Before 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."

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County Councillor Michelle Blakeley-Walker: "My fellow councillors and I are against this and we do not support this. It is absolutely shocking and it is cruel.

"My dad [the late councillor Brian Blakeley] stood up in the county council to ask for this practice to be banned.

"He pushed for it and it was banned. He made his voice heard. My father and councillor Joan Butterfield and all the councillors backed this motion.

"There is a big issue here."

Residents took to public group Rhyl Forum to voice their reactions to goldfish still being given as prizes in Rhyl.

One person posted: "Enjoyed the fireworks on Monday evening but have to say how disgusting it was to see goldfish being handed out as prizes on the hook a duck.

"Whoever organises this event needs to ensure that this cruelty does not take place in future and live animals are not offered up as prizes."

Another person wrote: "Same as last year. I seen some lads last year chuck one around.

"I personally think it’s disgusting as not everyone will look after it."

However, some wrote in support of the goldfish being given out and argued that it "wasn't cruel".

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One person wrote: "Our goldfish that we won [in them plastic bags] lived for about eight years so. I wouldn’t say it’s cruelty, they live in water. And I’m sure any goldfish that didn’t get picked would be going straight back into a tank at the end of the night."

Another said: "My daughter got two this evening [November 5] at that fair and the excitement in her face."

A woman posted on Prestatyn Connect that she had found one of the goldfish in its bag on the beach. 

She posted on social media: "On my walk at the Nova this morning I found this beautiful little goldfish in its bag on the beach. 

"Long shot, I know, but I don't suppose anyone want to give 'Goldie' a loving home?"

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: "At a council meeting last month, councillors agreed to ban the giving of live animals as prizes on Denbighshire Council land.

"The council do not have any powers to ban such activity on private land."

Sioned Nikolic, RSPCA Cymru’s public affairs officer, said: “The RSPCA is saddened to hear that goldfish have been given out as prizes at a funfair in Rhyl and that a fish was reportedly dumped on the beach.

"If anyone has any first hand evidence about the abandonment of the goldfish on the beach please contact our emergency line on 0300 1234 999.

"Sadly, even though the majority of local authorities across Wales - including Denbighshire - have banned pets as prizes on their land, the practice can still take place legally on private land.

"As well as urging local authorities and councils to ban the practice on their land, we continue to make the case to the Welsh Government that pets being given away as prizes should be banned outright through national legislation.

“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. It’s time giving out goldfish and other pets as prizes was consigned to the history books."

As part of the RSPCA's #NoFunAtTheFair campaign, RSPCA Cymru is calling on the outdated practice to be stopped - and has been campaigning for all councils in Wales to introduce local bans on their land.

So far since its June 2023 launch - 12,308 people have backed the RSPCA campaign.

The RSPCA said that 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, while many may die before their new owners can get them home.

Sioned added "They're misunderstood pets as they can make great companions; but can actually be challenging to look after. New owners must do their research before they acquire the fish, not afterwards. 

“Before 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.”