THE granddaughter of Barry campaigner Dilys Colbourne has pledged to fulfil one of her last wishes and stop goldfish being offered as funfair prizes.

Citizen’s Action Group secretary Mrs Colbourne died earlier this month. but 23-year-old Holly Homer, 23, has pledged to maintain the ‘Operation Goldfish’ campaign and get the ‘tradition’ outlawed.

Miss Homer, of Barry, has so far set up an online petition and talked to Barry Island Pleasure Park owner Henry Danter to discuss the issue. Miss Homer said: “Like many others I was surprised to hear that goldfish were being offered as prizes at Barry Island Funfair. I thought that this practice had been outlawed many years ago. But no, if a child under the age of 16 is accompanied by an adult, it is legal for the poor goldfish to be handed over regardless of the care or lack of it, it will receive.

“It isn’t uncommon for them to be handed out to unaccompanied children under the age of 16 who then discard them within hours as if it was a toy. A goldfish should live up to 20 years, nearly 10 times the amount of time a hamster would live. Yet if it were to be hamsters handed out willy-nilly then I’m sure there would be uproar.”

She added: “Although goldfish do not conjure up the same reaction as a puppy or kitten, they still feel pain and can communicate with each other. “Goldfish can be purchased from reputable pet shops where necessary advice is handed out in order to give them the chance of a better quality of life then they would receive if handed out as a prize at any local funfair. Goldfish are not a prize to be won. I’m carrying this on in her (Dilys’) legacy to prove to her that the world can be changed.”

Barry Island Pleasure Park owner Henry Danter said giving goldfish away at a fairground was a ‘tradition’ but following his discussion with Miss Homer he said: “I’ve thought about it and I understand the concern. I can’t do anything about it this season, but if the government make it law and it concerns people I should go down that road.”

A Vale council spokesman said the Animal Welfare Act prohibition on the sale or giving of animals as prizes only applied where the purchaser or recipient is under the age of 18.“Should the council receive complaints about the welfare of goldfish outside of this restriction then these of course would also be investigated,” he said. ““While there are no plans at present to adopt a ban on council-owned land with regard to the giving of goldfish as prizes, we are aware of the arrangements put in place in other areas and will keep a watching brief on developments in this area.” A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We are working on a number of policy changes including the intention to ban the use of wild animals in circuses in Wales; the regulation of animal exhibits; and the banning of third party sales of puppies and kittens.”

“All of these policies are in line with our commitment to ensure animals in Wales live a good quality life. A public consultation process on a proposed licensing scheme for Animal Exhibits is expected to launch before the end of summer recess and we welcome evidence on key concerns held by stakeholders and members of the public.

“It is timely to remind everyone an owner or keeper of an animal, whether permanent or temporary, has a responsibility to meet its needs.”

To support the petition, visit change.org/p/local-council-ban-goldfish-being-won-at-funfairs