A young man who allegedly swallowed a live goldfish ‘in the name of Donald Trump’ later returned to the store to pay for the $8 red and white comet.
The 20-year-old walked into a Petbarn in Castle Hill, over 30km northwest of Sydney’s CBD, just after midday on Sunday.
NSW Police said officers received a call saying the man had entered the store, removed a goldfish from the tank, swallowed it whole, and left.
He was reportedly livestreaming on the gaming platform Discord at the time.
The young man reportedly yelled ‘this is for Donald Trump’ before he swallowed the fish, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Workers who claimed to have witnessed the act said they heard a ‘crunch noise’.
In a shock twist, the man returned to the pet store and paid for the goldfish.
Following an investigation, the 20-year-old was charged with committing an act of animal cruelty and behaving in an offensive manner.
The man allegedly swallowed a live goldfish at a Petbarn in Sydney’s Castle Hill (pictured)
NSW is the only state in Australia that prohibits sharing of animal crush videos online (stock)
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, a spokesperson for Petbarn said that it was a ‘distressing’ incident for the workers.
‘Our team members were understandably very shaken by what they witnessed and have been offered counselling and support,’ the statement read.
‘At Petbarn, the welfare of animals is our number one priority. Any act of cruelty towards animals is unacceptable and completely contrary to the values we uphold as a team and organisation committed to responsible pet care and wellbeing.
‘We trust that the relevant authorities will take appropriate action in accordance with the law.’
NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst condemned the ‘extreme act of cruelty’.
‘Fish are sentient living beings that can experience pain and fear, and there is no doubt this goldfish would have suffered terribly,’ she said in a statement.
‘What kind of pathetic individual goes to such extreme lengths just to try and get some attention on social media?
‘He should be given a lifetime ban immediately on all social media platforms for promoting acts of animal cruelty.’
He reportedly yelled ‘this is for Donald Trump’ loudly in the store before the alleged act and was streaming on Discord (pictured, the US President speaks to a rally in Iowa in July)
Hurst welcomed the charges by NSW Police, noting that NSW is the only state with laws against such conduct.
‘I’m glad to see the police taking action. People found guilty of animal cruelty face fines of up to $44,000 and/or one year imprisonment,’ she said.
‘Such an act could also be considered to be the production and distribution of animal crush videos – an offence that only exists in NSW, and is punishable by up to five years imprisonment.
‘We will be watching this case closely and hope it sends a strong message to the community that filming cruel and thoughtless animal cruelty videos for social media in a desperate attempt to get attention could land you in jail.’
He is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on August 20.
