RSPCA NSW Investigating Viral Pet Fish Eating Stunt Posted on December 21, 2017 Petbarn have lodged a formal complaint with RSPCA NSW after an incident where a male was filmed eating a pet fish alive at one of their stores in Penrith over the weekend. The animal welfare charity has also received a large number of complaints from the public after the video of ‘comedian’ Trent Hunt eating the fish, and later vomiting it up, went viral on professional boxer and ‘social media entertainer’ Kyron Dryen’s Facebook page. RSPCA NSW Inspectors are currently investigating the incident, and have warned that animal cruelty is not a laughing matter. Fish are covered by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, and penalties for animal cruelty can include two years imprisonment and a $22,000 fine. “It’s completely astounding how anyone could think it is funny to eat a live pet fish, where it would suffer a slow and painful death, all in a poor attempt at humour,” comments RSPCA NSW Chief Inspector David OShannessy. “The law is very clear around protections for fish and other sentient beings under the legislation, and this matter will be thoroughly investigated.” NSW Police have received a complaint in relation to the filming of a Petbarn staff member without their permission. Petbarn have released a statement outlining that they are deeply upset by the incident and are conducting their own investigation. RSPCA NSW is appealing to members of the public that may have first-hand information about this incident to come forward and make a confidential report by calling the animal cruelty hotline on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 3589) or online at https://www.rspcansw.org.au/contact/report-a-cruelty-case/. We remind people that they should not report crime information through our social media pages. For more information, or an interview with a RSPCA NSW spokesperson, please contact Stefania Kubowicz Mobile: 0488 905 353 | Email: skubowicz@rspcansw.org.au.
