New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino has introduced legislation that would ban the practice of giving away live fish as prizes at city fairs, carnivals, and festivals. The bill specifically targets the common carnival game tradition of awarding goldfish to winners of games like the Ping-Pong toss.
Animal-rights organizations, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, have expressed strong opposition to these giveaways. They contend that the process subjects the fish to extreme stress, shock, and oxygen deprivation, often leading to death before they can even reach their new homes. The fish are typically distributed in small plastic bags.
Paladino, a Republican representing Queens, stated that the incident that prompted the legislation involved a group of teenagers at a St. Luke School carnival in Whitestone in late May. Her chief political strategist and son, Thomas Paladino Jr., recounted that the teens allegedly tortured the fish they won, with some instances including throwing and stomping on the fish, and pulling their fins to distress others.
"While this may seem like a small issue in a city facing many challenges, this incident made clear that live animals should not be treated as novelties or prizes," Paladino wrote on Instagram on June 1. "They deserve humane treatment and responsible care. No animal should be subjected to cruelty."
Violators of the proposed measure could face a $100 fine for a first offense, escalating to up to $2,000 for subsequent violations. Councilman Frank Morano, a Republican from Staten Island, has voiced his support for the bill, emphasizing its focus on animal protection rather than curtailing festivities. "This is a small but sensible animal-welfare reform that brings a little more humanity to how we do things in New York City," Morano said. "If you want to give out prizes at fairs or street festivals, there are plenty of better options: stuffed animals, gift cards, toys, or even tickets and vouchers. Anything but a living animal."
If enacted, New York City would join other jurisdictions with similar bans, including Connecticut and Iowa, as well as Berkeley, California. New York State law already prohibits the giveaway of most live animals as prizes, with exceptions for fish and purebred livestock like cattle and horses.