A new law banning Connecticut carnivals from giving reptiles and birds as carnival prizes has been expanded to prohibit goldfish from being given to prize winners to take home in a plastic bag.
Fish were added to a Department of Consumer Protection bill as an amendment to animal protections laws. Giving away goldfish as prizes at carnivals and bazaars is now a misdemeanor offense. The law went into effect Oct. 1.
State Rep. Tony Scott, who represents Easton, Monroe and Trumbull, lobbied his fellow lawmakers for the statute change on behalf of his 15-year-old daughter, Lauren, who once witnessed the mistreatment of fish at carnivals. The mistreatment included kids throwing the fish off the top of a Ferris wheel and even swallowing them.
“Carnivals travel constantly, and the care for animals is likely difficult and cumbersome,” said Scott. “Also, the abuse and bad treatment to the animals from those who win them unexpectedly really eliminates the idea it is harmless.”
Connecticut joins Iowa, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Vermont as states that outlaw fish giveaways.
Fish Feel, a Maryland-based organization that promotes fish as sentient beings deserving of respect and compassion, was pleased that Connecticut had taken action in protecting fish from the mistreatment that comes when they are given away as prizes.
“Science has shown that fishes can suffer fear and pain,” said Mary Finelli, Fish Feel’s president. “Far too often we have heard of goldfishes obtained at fairs, carnivals who soon perish, often after being kept in inhumane conditions or before they even make it to the person’s residence. Even just being at such an event can be extremely stressful for these sensitive animals.”
Lauren Scott testified on behalf of goldfish during a Public Safety Committee hearing last year when a Senate bill included the goldfish ban. The Masuk High School student recounted how her family took good care of a goldfish her sister won as a carnival prize by getting it a small tank and food. But she cautioned lawmakers that “this is not the story for most of these prize fish. Most get flushed when they get taken home or die in transit.”
The provision about goldfish giveaways was removed before a final vote on the bill, but it was taken up again this year. At the annual Easton Fireman’s Carnival, you’ll find great food and rides, but no goldfish prize giveaways.
“The Fireman’s Carnival doesn’t give out live goldfish as a prize,” said Easton Fire Chief Robert Klem, adding that his son’s carnival goldfish lived to be 12 years old.
