A spokesperson for the RSPCA praised the Staffordshire council, saying the ban on using animals as prizes is 'fantastic news', and they hope to see more local authorities follow suit
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A Staffordshire council has been praised after voting to ban the use of live animals as prizes at events like fun fairs.
As a result of the vote, Tamworth Borough Council is the 28th local authority in England to veto the practice.
The measure, which will apply to all events taking place on Tamworth Borough Council land, was introduced by Conservative councillor Steven Pritchard.
He says the council will now write to the government and ask it to follow Scotland in banning the practice on private land too.
The motion was supported by councillors from across the political divide, with Labour councillor Sheree Peaple saying that using live animals as prizes ‘has to stop’.
Animals as prizes
Responding to the news, Evangeline Button, from the RSPCA’s wildlife department said it was ‘fantastic’, and added that the organisation hopes ‘others follow their example’.
She said: “This means there are now 28 local authorities across England and nine in Wales who have implemented bans and are taking action against this practice.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has supported this campaign so far – which really highlights how important animal welfare is to local representatives and their constituents.”
The RSPCA has been re-running a campaign, Pets as Prizes, since June, using the hashtag #NoFunAtTheFair. The campaign calls on animal lovers to encourage their local authority to take action.
Speaking about the campaign, Evangeline Button said: “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.”
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Featured image: Henrik Sorensen via Getty Images
