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RSPCA may prosecute live fish drinkers
The RSPCA has received at least 14 reports of people drinking live fish.
The RSPCA has received at least 14 reports of people drinking live fish.

Reports of drinkers downing shots containing live fish

Criminal prosecutions may be brought by the RSPCA after its received reports of people eating live fish as part of an online drinking craze.

The RSPCA says it has already received at least 14 calls about fish being eaten alive as part of the Neknominating drinking game currently taking place on social media websites.

It said people were filming themselves quickly drinking large amounts of alcohol and then nominating a friend to do the same. The challenges also involve carrying out extreme feats on camera – and that in turn has led to reports of videos of people drinking shots of alcohol with a fish inside.

RSPCA wildlife scientist Nicola White said: “We are extremely concerned about this shocking new trend. We have had quite a few similar cases reported to us in a very short space of time – but this could be just the tip of the iceberg as there’s probably many more we have not been told about.



“Eating a live animal and posting of a film of it on the internet is not some light-hearted joke – it is unacceptable. It sends out a clear message that animal cruelty is ok as long as it is in the guise of entertainment.



“We urge people not to take part in this horrible craze and to report to us anyone who is taking part.”



Since the weekend there had been at least 14 calls to the RSPCA about ‘Neknominating’ footage involving swallowing live fish.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "Eating live fish is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act, and the RSPCA are investigating several of the cases which have been referred to us. Because of this we are unable to go into detail of individual cases until more is known."


Images by www.clubantietam.com and Ben Webb

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.