Shocking moment drunken reveller filmed swallowing a GOLDFISH to ‘show off to his mates’
Man banned from keeping fish for five years and hit with hefty fine for causing it pain before it died in his stomach
THIS is the harrowing moment a drunken fair-goer swallowed a live goldfish.
Cruel Alexander Mackey, 21, was “showing off” to friends when he ate the fish in one gulp after one of his mates won it in a game.
Mackey, who had consumed seven cans of beer, can be seen brandishing the fish as it wriggles around, gasping for air.
The 21-year-old proceeds to drop the fish in his mouth as his friends fall into fits of laughter in the background.
Unfortunately for Mackey, the clip was posted to a friend’s Facebook account a few days later, and a complaint was made to the RSPCA, leading cops to arrest the Plymouth engineer.
Mackey pleaded guilty to a charge of not meeting the needs and causing unnecessary suffering to the fish under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 today.
He has been forced to pay a fine and costs amounting to £752, and has also been banned from keeping fish for five years.
Representing the RSPCA, Lindi Meyer said: "The incident took place on 14 October last year at the Goose Fair in Tavistock which was attended by the defendant and his friends.
"One of them won a goldfish and thought it would be a good idea for him to swallow it. The fish was taken out of the water bag and was seen to wriggle in pain.
“The defendant opened his mouth and dropped the fish in, swallowing it whole. He opened his mouth to prove it was not there."
She added: "The actions were filmed and was put on Facebook. As a result of the posting the RSPCA got involved after a complaint.
"He was identified and interviewed and said he had gone to the fair and had four or five cans of lager on the way. He then had a further four cans of Fosters at the fair."
Ms Meyer said another member of the group had initially planned to swallow the fish, but “bottled it”, at which point someone shouted Mackey should instead.
She said: "He said he put it in his mouth and just swallowed it. When asked what it felt like he said he did not feel it as it went straight down.
"He said he was aware of the footage on Facebook and when asked if he thought that was acceptable he said no.
"He said it did not cross his mind at the time and he would not have done it if he was sober and he was sorry."
Animal charity RSPCA commissioned a report which concluded goldfish require careful handling, and should not be picked up in any circumstances.
The report said the fact the tragic fish could be seen wriggling around was because it was “distressed” being out of the water.
It confirmed the fish would have died in Mackey’s stomach and would have suffered a great deal of pain until this time came.
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