Please sign this petition to ban goldfish being sold at fairs

Cami · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 07:19 PM

There is a fair held at my local town each year, I went along today and found out that goldfish are still being sold at fairs, I have done a little research and have found an online pettition running and am urging as many people to sign it as possible.

Stop goldfish being sold at Funfairs! - e-petitions

I also found this one trying to ban the goldfish bowl

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/11399

~T~ · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 10:23 PM

I'm not sure what this has to do with reptiles and amphibians but to be brutally honest these online petition sites are pretty much a waste of time.

camo · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 10:32 PM

Cami

I for one have signed the petition and will not criticise you as a new member wherever you share your concern.

I dont know about e petitions but it appears well controlled, genuine and to get something changed it can only help. Well done Cami!

Roy

tigertom · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 10:36 PM

[quote=~T~;836157]I'm not sure what this has to do with reptiles and amphibians

A lot of these end up not being wanted and are released into ponds and can then cause a lot of damage when put in those not containing fish to newts and other amphibian populations, and a lot of them will often be caring disease which can again cause problems if fish are present by infecting them

MIKE

~T~ · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 10:38 PM

[quote=tigertom;836163]
Quote:

Originally Posted by ~T~

I'm not sure what this has to do with reptiles and amphibians

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~T~

A lot of these end up not being wanted and are released into ponds and can then cause a lot of damage when put in those not containing fish to newts and other amphibian populations, and a lot of them will often be caring disease which can again cause problems if fish are present by infecting them

MIKE

Fair enough

Farplace · #6 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 07:42 AM

I share your concern Cami, but I have never found e-petitions particularly effective. Perhaps a letter to your local council will be more effective in your local area?
Jan

Cami · #7 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 06:13 PM

Sorry if i put this in the wrong place, i wasn't sure where to put it

I don't know how effective or ineffective e-pettitions are, but i really wanted to do something when i found out that they still have these stands at fairs and came across this pettition and decided to sign it and get as many others to sign as possible

and Farplace, I was thinking of writing a letter, but the problem is that not many people will respond to just one letter and it feels a little pointless

maccyd82 · #8 (**permalink**) 23-10-2011, 09:33 AM

Hi Cami,

Im not sure if Im right, but I think I read somewhere that each correspondance counts as one piece of correspondance if you see what I mean? So one petition with 1,000 signatures would have the same weight as one letter.

Has anyone else heard of this?

So go for a letter Cami!

crazyjoe123 · #9 (**permalink**) 23-10-2011, 01:23 PM

It is illegal isnt it or is it only illegal to give them as prizes? Surely the fair would need a pet shop licence? Or am I thinking of Scotland only?

AdrianH · #10 (**permalink**) 26-10-2011, 07:17 AM

I would contact your local authority immediately you see anyone selling live stock like this.

I would query how the vendors are complying wit the law as they are required to be licensed by the local authority and have to comply with strict laws on animal health conditions/environment.

Protecting pets from cruelty Defra

Quote:

The Pet Animals Act 1951 (as amended in 1983) - protects the welfare of animals sold as pets. The Act requires any person keeping a pet shop to be licensed by the local authority. Before granting a licence the local authority must be satisfied that the animals are kept in accommodation that is both suitable and clean; that they are supplied with appropriate food and drink; and are adequately protected from disease and fire. The local authority may attach any conditions to the licence, may inspect the licensed premises at all reasonable times and may refuse a licence if the conditions at the premises are unsatisfactory or if the terms of the licence are not being complied with.

Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the law in this area and anyone who has reason to believe that a pet shop is keeping animals in inadequate conditions should raise the matter with the local authority who will decide what action to take within the range of its powers.

Under s.2 pets cannot be sold in the street, including on barrows and markets.

This link gives the specific requirements for conditions that must be maintained by a license holder :

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/Intern...et%20shops.pdf

I would have thought it hghly unlikely that a travelling funfair is going to be able to comply.