Cycle Safely Video
September 2010
Riding a Bike is Fun, But...
Click for video
Tony Moore, chairman of the Vicki Moore Foundation (VMF) has made a lighthearted video that aims to educate children on how to ride a bicycle safely.
Lunes the talking cat, tells the children to be aware that animals also need to be thought of.
In the area of the VMF offices there have been many accidents causing injury to people and animals, principally cats.
A twenty mile an hour speed limit and other traffic calming is under discussion and the VMF feel that this is a matter of general interest that could be introduced in many parts of the UK where animals and people are in danger.
There is also a drive to bring back the bicycle and this video might help motorists and cyclists a little.
The Vicki Moore Foundation thanks the citizens of Southport, mothers, children and general public, who took part in this production.
Goldfish prizes on Southport
New Pleasureland
22nd June 2010
Success as fairground stops giving gold as prizes
On a recent investigation into Southport’s Pleasureland fairground there were three stalls giving goldfish as prizes. We saw three different people win a goldfish. No literature or advice was given and the goldfish were carried away in water filled plastic bags.
When our investigator asked at all three stalls what was given with the fish, she was told that one could buy a plastic gold fish bowl. It turned out that the price for the fish was three tokens (the equivalent of £3) and that the container would be 6 tokens (£6) on top of that. Asking whether any information or leaflet was given on how to keep it, she was told, there was only the gravel and food that came with the container. In the case of each of the three people we saw, they only took the fish in a bag.
Recipe for disaster:
Winning a goldfish on a sideshow goes against all common sense. It is very bad both for the fish and the prize winner. A child ends up with a living creature in a plastic bag full of water and no knowledge of how to keep it and the fish is carried around until it is time for the child to go home. This is a recipe for disaster. In fact members of the general public have complained to us about this. Mothers have a hard time to explain to their children, why the animal dies right in front of their eyes.
Goldfish are easily stressed. They may suffer from shock, oxygen starvation or even die from changes in water temperature. Many fairground fish die before their new owners can get them home - or soon afterwards. A gold fish bowl is not an adequate accommodation for a gold fish. Due to its round shape the fish have neither any means of orientation in its environment nor a place to withdraw. There is no filtering system and the water quality will soon deteriorate.
On the fairground the fish were scooped out of a plastic container and put in a bag which was filled with water from the pond in the centre of the stall. This means it was placed in a completely different environment. It did not have time to get used gradually to the water temperature.
Sefton Council’s policy:
In June 2008 the Vicki Moore Foundation complained about this issue to Sefton Council. The reply said that the stallholders were made to give out leaflets on how to keep a goldfish with their prize. The recent investigation showed this is not being complied with.
Quotes;
Tony Moore, Chairman of the Vicki Moore Foundation:
“Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to enter into an arrangement with a person reasonably believed to be under 16, who is not accompanied by an adult, whereby an animal is to be won as a prize.”
“The adult accompanying the child should have more sense and make the child choose another prize instead.”
“The decision to keep fish should be taken after much thought not as a spur of the moment act. Goldfish are promoted as a low maintenance pet for children. However, gold fish are no different from any other fish. They too have specific requirements concerning water parameters and temperature. If not cared for properly they succumb to the same diseases as other species.”
”We are asking Sefton MBC to ban the giving of goldfish as prizes on council owned land and encouraging other private properties or landholders to follow their lead. Obviously the current policy is not working, the fish continue to suffer and die. In this day and age everybody should be aware that an animal is not an object but a sentient being.”
“We also ask the general public around the country to check out the situation on their fairgrounds and put pressure on their respective council.”
Good News
As aresult of our pressure the owner of New Pleasure Southport decided to stop giving goldfishes as prizes.
This was quoted in the Southport Champion (above)
New Brighton shore crabs.
14th August 2007
What appears on the face of it to be a harmless childish bit of fun could be an act of cruelty.
The Vicki Moore Foundation is asking the authorities to look into the fishing for crabs in the New Brighton Marina and area.
The crabs are caught by fastening a piece of bacon or other suitable substance on a piece of string and putting this in the water for the crabs to get hold of.
But what happens to the crabs after they are pulled out? Some are returned, after being handled and possibly damaged. Immature crabs should be returned unharmed.
Unfortunately with the best will in the world most of the crabs that are taken home are bound to die.
These crabs are what are known as shore crabs (Carcinus maenas). Although they can survive in salinities solution as low as 4 it is very doubtful if they will get the care they require.
They could also be breaking the law.
Edible crabs come under the DEFRA minimum sizes and as such you are liable for prosecution if a fisheries officer catches you with undersize crabs.
It is doubtful whether it is ethical to use animals as toys. These days we have access to so many forms of entertainment and don’t have to make animals suffer for our pleasure.