Daniel Challis caught on video swallowing a live goldfish (Picture: SWNS)
A man who was filmed swallowing a living goldfish as a prank has been convicted of animal cruelty.
Daniel Challis, 24, from Torquay, Devon was found gulity of causing suffering to the fish.His friend and former colleague Cheryl Stevens, 27, of Paignton, Devon who filmed the incident and posted a 35 second clip on Facebook was also found gulity of the same charge.
The offence took place after the pair had been drinking after work and an unnamed person dared Challis to swallow the pet in the office of the Crazy Horse bar in Paignton last March.An investigation was launched by the RSPCA when the clip of the prank was circulated on social media despite Stevens quickly deleting it after friends complained it was disgusting.
The court was shown the video clip which RSPCA prosecutor Kevin WitheyThe clip showed Challis, now a timber merchant, scooping the creature from a pint glass holding it by the tail as it wriggled and then dropping it into his mouth before swallowing.
Expert witness and vet David Martin told the court he thought the fish was alive because dead fish first sink and then float to the surface.
He added: ‘It wasn’t on its side when it was picked up and can be seen moving away from Mr Challis’ hand.
‘Fish suffer out of water because they can’t breathe. And then it would have suffered from the acidity of Mr Challis’ stomach.’
Sentencing was adjourned until February 3 for reports to be prepared and both defendants were bailed
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