Is swallowing goldfishes against the law?

Question

My sister's college is having like a contest or something to see if anyone can swallow a goldfish. I am outraged by this, and I am wondering if theres anything I can do about it.

Answer 1

that's gross

Answer 2

Is it your sister's college, her sorority or her dorm mates??  If it's the college, call the anti-animal cruelty people in their town and report it.  If you don't know who to call, the ASPCA will know who to tell.

If it's your sister's sorority or her dorm mates, then there's really nothing to be done. It's likely some form of hazing, but -- seriously -- if you complain to the authorities, it would just make you look bad.  Just pray the person doing the 'swallowing' doesn't choke. Kinda hard to explain to a girl's mom that she choked on a live goldfish. Imagine the lawsuits... If anything can stop it, that argument can.  Just chalk this up to experience: college kids are stupid, do silly and dangerous things, and never think of the consequences of their actions.  Anything you say will be written off by them.

Answer 3

No, eating fish is legal, and that is all they are doing.  If they mistreat the fish during the process, they could run up against animal cruelty laws, but that's pretty unlikely.

I would approach the college administration and complain. I"m sure they haven't approved this stupidity, and they will want to avoid the bad publicity it involves.

Answer 4

Causing pain to any living thing is gross. Check with the PDSA, hopefully it's illegal and they can be prosecuted.

Answer 5

It's definitely a cause for concern - from several areas.

Animal welfare will be interested as it 'causes un-necessary suffering' to an animal.

Your local RSPCA / SSPCA (UK) will advise you.

IF the fish is already dead - or even purposely killed beforehand for the contest - then there is NOTHING that can be done as it is then classified as 'home-caught food'.

If the fish are 'supplied' by one student and eaten by others - food hygiene (environmental health) issues could be brought up.

Also from a human health issue - many aquatic animals harbour some seriously nasty bacteria such as salmonella.

Answer 6

Repoert it to the local paper, the publicity wont be good for the college.

Answer 7

i dont think so but it should be there is a law you are not alowed to get a fish drunk. it could be though.