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The RSPCA has urged councils in Wales and England to ban the “outdated and cruel” practice of pets being given away as prizes.

With coronavirus restrictions easing, the animal welfare charity is worried that more animals – particularly goldfish – will be given away as prizes as fairgrounds, fetes and other events resume.

However, this practice has already been banned in Caerphilly County Borough.

In 2019, councillors unanimously voted to ban the giving of live animals as prizes within the borough, with Caerphilly County Borough Council writing to the Welsh Government calling for a ban to cover all public and private land in Wales.

The motion was originally put forward by Morgan Jones ward councillor Jamie Pritchard, who has recently been named as the council’s new Deputy Leader.

Cllr Pritchard said: “People I spoke to in Caerphilly were aghast the practice of giving pets as prizes isn’t already banned – so it was really important for me to work with the RSPCA to deliver this change.

“Here in Caerphilly, I’m proud we have now taken a firm stand and used the power at our disposal, and also urged the Welsh Government to deliver change in this area across Wales.”

Evangeline Button, from the RSPCA’s wildlife department, said it’s “still too often commonplace” to see pets given away as prizes.

“Animal ownership is a big responsibility – and shouldn’t be a spur of the moment result of winning a game. To those playing – if you win, they lose.

“Goldfish are easily stressed and very often, fish that are won as prizes suffer miserably from shock, oxygen starvation or die from changes in water temperature, and many will die before their new owners can even get them home.

“When bringing a fish home for the first time, it’s important to set the tank up at least two weeks in advance to make sure it’s all running smoothly, and this just isn’t possible for someone who’s won a fish without being prepared for it.”

Ms Button also said goldfish given away as prizes are held in “unsuitable conditions” in plastic bags

“It should be candy floss people take home from the fair – not live animals.

“That’s why we want local authorities across England and Wales to ban the giving of pets as prizes on their land, taking the lead to consign this out-dated and cruel practice of giving pets as prizes to the history books.”