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Man fined £300 for swallowing goldfish in Neknominate prank Man fined £300 for swallowing goldfish in Neknominate prank
(about 1 hour later)
A man who swallowed a live goldfish as part of a Neknominate challenge has been fined £300.A man who swallowed a live goldfish as part of a Neknominate challenge has been fined £300.
Gavin Hope, 22, was taken to court by the RSPCA after footage of his stunt was posted on Facebook. The society said it was the first time it had prosecuted someone in relation to the online drinking dare game. Gavin Hope, 22, was taken to court by the RSPCA after footage of his dare for the online drinking game was posted on Facebook. The charity said it was the first time it had prosecuted someone in relation to the internet craze.
RSPCA chief inspector Michelle Charlton said Hope drank a glass of water with the fish in it. She said the video first shows the defendant preparing a pint glass with lager, chilli, tequila, a fresh egg and fish food before revealing why the fish food is going in.RSPCA chief inspector Michelle Charlton said Hope drank a glass of water with the fish in it. She said the video first shows the defendant preparing a pint glass with lager, chilli, tequila, a fresh egg and fish food before revealing why the fish food is going in.
Charlton said: "He picks up another glass containing a small amount of water and the goldfish, which is swimming around, and shows it to the camera before drinking it down, and following it with the pint."Charlton said: "He picks up another glass containing a small amount of water and the goldfish, which is swimming around, and shows it to the camera before drinking it down, and following it with the pint."
She said: "A vet report advised that the stomach would be a completely unsuitable place for a goldfish and that the fish would have died in time, the cause of death being a mixture of suffocation and acid ph levels in the stomach, as well as the alcohol he drank." She said: "A vet report advised that ... the fish would have died in time, the cause of death being a mixture of suffocation and acid pH levels in the stomach, as well as the alcohol he drank."
The society said that Hope told them he had owned the goldfish for a couple of months. He said he thought it was ill as it kept swimming into the sides of its tank and he was going to flush it down the toilet but decided to drink it as part of his Neknomination challenge instead. The society said Hope told them he had owned the goldfish for a couple of months. He said he thought it was ill as it kept swimming into the sides of its tank and he was going to flush it down the toilet but decided to drink it as part of his Neknomination challenge instead.
According to the RSPCA, Gateshead magistrates court heard how Hope was ashamed of what he did and claimed it was an impulsive act that would not be repeated.According to the RSPCA, Gateshead magistrates court heard how Hope was ashamed of what he did and claimed it was an impulsive act that would not be repeated.
Charlton said: "Eating a live animal and posting a video of it online for entertainment is not some light-hearted joke – it is unacceptable. The RSPCA takes the use of animals in these Neknominate challenges very seriously.Charlton said: "Eating a live animal and posting a video of it online for entertainment is not some light-hearted joke – it is unacceptable. The RSPCA takes the use of animals in these Neknominate challenges very seriously.
"We urge people not to involve animals in this horrible craze and to report to us anyone who is on our cruelty line 0300 1234 999.""We urge people not to involve animals in this horrible craze and to report to us anyone who is on our cruelty line 0300 1234 999."
The society said Hope, of Pelaw, Gateshead, appeared before magistrates on Tuesday, where he was also ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £431.17 costs. The RSPCA said Hope, of Pelaw, Gateshead, appeared before magistrates on Tuesday, where he was also ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £431.17 costs after pleading guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.
He pleaded guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act. The offence was that on or about January 31 this year, he failed to meet the needs of a goldfish by failing to protect it from pain, suffering, injury or disease by drinking it. The offence was that on or about January 31 this year, he failed to meet the needs of a goldfish by failing to protect it from pain, suffering, injury or disease by drinking it.