Mom protests giving away goldfish as prizes at Ann Arbor carnival
Ann Arbor residents Ellen Wolgat, age 16, left, and her boyfriend Kyle Morrison, age 18, hold up a goldfish that Ellen won at the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival at Pioneer High School.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
Instead of a stuffed animal or a bag of cotton candy, her daughter walked in the door with a pair of goldfish in a plastic bag: Living, breathing, swimming gold fish. Her daughter’s boyfriend had won them at a carnival game called The Goldfish Game.
That's when McPhail started to worry about the wisdom of handing out pets as prizes.
“This isn’t a cause I intended to get into,” she said. But she began questioning what happened to the fish once they left the carnival. Would they be tossed in the parking lot or in the trash?
Most people, she said, don’t have a tank and equipment waiting at home.
“The idea is charming at first until you realize it’s a responsibility,” McPhail said. “When you get a pet at the Humane Society, they explain how to take care of the animal. They talk about the responsibility.”
She researched Michigan’s animal cruelty law, which covers vertebrates. And also found out that some U.S. cities and some foreign countries prohibit doling out fish as prizes.
McPhail contacted Ann Arbor Jaycees. “Your organization needs to tell the carnival operators to find a more suitable prize - a more humane, reasonable trinket to give out,” McPhail emailed the Jaycees.
She wasn’t happy with the response. Mary Jo Knitter, Jaycees’ president, responded that they have no control over how carnival operator McDonagh Amusements from Chesaning, runs the show, and that they trusted the operator.
Karey Reed, legal counsel for the Ann Arbor Jaycees, said the operator had cleared all inspections and codes and that The Fish Game will continue during the carnival's time in Ann Arbor with fish as prizes.
While no one from McDonagh was willing to make a comment, Lynn Tasker said she contracts with the amusement company to run The Gold Fish Game. This is her first time at the Ann Arbor carnival, but she has been operating the midway game for nine years.
The game involves trying to toss a ball (a bucket of balls goes for $5) in one of the bowls: Hit a regular bowl, win a gold fish. Hit a premium bowl, win a stuffed animal. Goldfish winners are given a ticket and usually return to claim their fish right before they leave the carnival, Tasker said.
Goldfish, she added, are not allowed on the rides. Young children are usually with their parents, and she usually warns winners to take care of their fish.
“But what happens to them after they leave here, I don’t know the answer,” Tasker said. Business was slow the first day of the Ann Arbor carnival, she said. She only handed out 25 gold fish. On good days, she said, she gives out 200.
The Fish Game also gives away lizards as a top prize, McPhail said. Her daughter, in fact, was hoping to win a lizard.
Meanwhile, the ending wasn’t so happy for the two fish McPhail’s daughter brought home.
Her daugher, Ellen Wolgat, put the two gold fish in a vase, filled it with water and bought fish food. By this morning, the fish she named Willow was dead. But Chibbles, the stronger of the two, was doing swimmingly.
The carnival, in its 60th year, runs through July 10 at Pioneer. It's open until 11 p.m. Friday, then hours are 1-11 p.m. Saturday, and noon-8:30 p.m. Sunday.
Comments
Ricardo Seir
Mon, Jul 11, 2011 : 5:34 p.m.
Really? Either you have a lot of time or you want to end up on tonights' Leno or Letterman.
Cat
Mon, Jul 11, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.
Amazing ! There goldfish people !
Sarah Parviz
Mon, Jul 11, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.
Can we just outlaw carnivals instead? What a creepy, antiquated, depression-era nightmare they are. Yuck.
Animal Lover
Mon, Jul 11, 2011 : 5:23 a.m.
Are you listening Jaycees, Mary Jo Knitter, Karey Reed, and Lynn Tasker? The vote was 49% does not find it acceptable. It's not something you need or have to do, so why do you allow it or do it? And Jaycees, you absolutely can tell L ynn Tasker it's not acceptable. I'll remember this the next time the jaycees look for donations. If you can be humane, just DO it It's that simple.
Rizzle
Mon, Jul 11, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
You ignore the fact that 49% think it's ok. Hardly a scientific poll. Also, the questions in the poll are not written in a very neutral manner. The goldfish are kept in an aerated and filtered tank at the Carnival. Transporting them via a bag at the end of the Carnival is much the same way you would transport them from a pet store. The difference between the Carnival and a pet store is the price is "free", although you still choose to pay to play, so they really are not free giveaways. CHOICE is the key word here. You have a CHOICE to play for a chance to win a goldfish. If your child makes the wrong CHOICE, that is simply bad parenting. Goldfish make good pets, good food for other animals in their food chain, and provide other benefits as we have learned here on this forum. Humane care of the goldfish is very easy to accomplish, it just requires care and responsibility. You can't assume that most human beings are incapable of making choices and being responsible. Many are not, but that's the price you pay for freedom.
UlyssesSwrong
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 9:46 p.m.
Honestly it's always bothered me that people have such strong convictions about things like the rights of living creatures but *only to a certain point*. It seems that many believe that creatures that are large enough and 'cute' enough deserve all the respect that a human would. But nobody seems to stand up for the rights of insects which are routinely killed, they are undoubtedly living but not as respected as many creatures by humans. And are we forgetting plants are not just some funky green stuff all around outside, but they are living, breathing organisms with lives? We seem to have no problem overlooking the importance of their lives. I don't need to explain the other forms of life that these self righteous people are overlooking, do I? I suppose their animal loving self righteousness comes with limits. The "cool" creatures deserve rights, but the organisms they dislike can all burn for they care. I love life and everything with a life is great, but let's face reality here. Every single life form is important, but we kill things all the time. What makes creatures who we constantly kill any less important than a goldfish? Is it because they're not as cute and personal with us? Humans are not the top dogs on this planet because we tried not to kill creatures. We have a bloody past which people are trying to rise from, but nothing changes what we've become through years of existence. The thing is, this is a gross side of humanity, where we favor certain living organisms based on our human values as a society and in modern times are extremely fueled by self righteousness brought upon by blanket values like animal rights. You should treat every living creature with respect. No need to be hypocritical and favor certain living organisms. Every goldfish rights activist is in no way more morally clean than a baby seal clubber. Maybe they are if you value certain creatures more than certain equally living ones though.
Arieswoman
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 9:08 a.m.
Does not AA.com have something better to report on? Must be a slow day in the newsroom! And you get paid for writing this?
sailhounds2
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 5:03 a.m.
I was going to comment on my own experience with my kids winning goldfish, but I read more comments and this is just getting too ridiculous. McPhail is so doubtful that her daughter & boyfriend can't take care of 2 goldfish that she wants to ruin everyone else's fun. When I met my husband, his 8 year old daughter was more than capable of changing the water in the goldfish bowl and feeding it every day. I've never been censored here and don't want to start now so that's all I've got to say about that.
MikeyP
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 9:29 p.m.
I don't disagree that an 8-year-old can certainly be capable of taking care of a goldfish, in fact it teaches them responsibility and to care for something else that depends on them which are wonderful lessons. However, there are better ways to get fish than from carnivals as the treatment of the fish in that atmosphere borders on (or outright is) abuse. Goldfish can live up to 30 years... the lifespan of a carnival goldfish generally is measured in hours. If you have a young child and really want them to do it right you should take the time to show them everything that goes into preparing to take care of a fish (setting up the tank, having dechlorinator on hand, having a filter capable of handling what are in truth very messy fish, having the proper food, having the equipment to do partial water changes 2-3 times a week... all of this BEFORE you get the fish!) There are inexpensive books on the topic and in this area we're blessed to have experts such as those at the Fish Doctors on Packard in Ypsi who are very helpful (I've found, and no, this is NOT the pet store where I had the bad experience with buying fish, it was one of those huge chain stores.) There's an inexpensive Animal Planet book titled "Aquarium Care of Goldfish" by David E. Boruchowitz that is a great resource (and he warns specifically against carnival goldfish!) I'm far from a PETA type (I am a life member of the North American Fishing Club, the NRA and a hunting proponent) but there are responsible ways to go about these things and irresponsible ways... and carnival goldfish are perhaps the least responsible way imaginable. Nobody should condone it.
snapshot
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 3:30 a.m.
Comparing a goldfish giveaway to adopting a "mammal"?
MikeyP
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 3:19 a.m.
My son won a fish at a carnival he was at with his Aunt and Uncle in Kalamazoo. The fish did survive the drive back to Ann Arbor, but since I had little (as in zero) warning I was quite unprepared to keep the fish alive. We did have a 10-gallon tank but no filter nor any dechlorinator. So after my son fell asleep the clearly dead Goldfish Floppy 1.0 (comet-style) was replaced with Goldfish Floppy 2.0 (which was a fantail... and he wondered how the tail split...) after a 2am trip to Meijer. However, that's not to say that pet stores are necessarily providing more hardy fish. The Meijer fish is alive and well, but a companion fish (an Aranda Goldfish) we purchased from a pet store later in the summer died after a week (we had a 29-gallon tank at that point, used the 10-gallon for quarantine, still had a functioning biofilter, etc. but it died.) Back to Meijer I went, and nearly a year later that fish is doing fine. Don't know what it is about Meijer fish but I'm 2-for-2 there. Carnival fish, despite any good intentions of the operators, really aren't something I can support. You need at least 10 gallons for a goldfish ideally, those bags aren't 10-gallons. Ammonia builds up in that water quickly (especially without a biofilter, which clearly a filterless plastic bag lacks) and the risk of disease transmission from said fish is unnervingly high. Goldfish are hardy, but far from invincible of course. And as the article points out one shouldn't get a pet on the spur-of-the-moment anyway, especially one that requires as much preparation as fish. Your tap water not only has chlorine in it but needs to be degassed before you dump a fish into it, and too much of a temp-difference between their bag water (which should NEVER go into your tank! Use a net!) and the tank can kill them (they're cold blooded!) Ideally you'll have a functioning biofilter too, but goldfish are fully capable of cycling the tank on their own.
buzz
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 2:27 a.m.
Thank you. I'd be very upset if my kid came home from a carnival with a new pet--any new pet. Not appropriate as a prize.
jcj
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 2:24 a.m.
Seriously a2.com does ANYONE other than the "reporter" decide what is worth printing? PLEASE don't tell me someone other than the "reporter " helps decide what is worth printing! I want the truth! But I am not sure I can handle the truth!
jcj
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
I want my picture and name in the tabloid! My grass is burning up who do I call? Who do I blame? Which of the "journalist" here can help me? And by the way the birds keep getting droppings on my car. Will Janet Miller do a story about that or do I need to know someone? Or does it just have to be a slow "news" day?
jcj
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
As long as this online tabloid keeps printing these "stories" the stories will continue to get more ridiculous. As some have said You don't think its a good idea, DON'T take the prize OR teach your kids better!
Bones
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 2:13 a.m.
Alright then. If this is such a bad thing to give as pets. We can all go get pirate and viking costumes and storm the the game/vendor. We then will take all of the fish by force. We can call it AA Fish Wars. Maybe get a show on discovery channel. Even if that does not work. We will take the fish down to Gallup Park and put them in the river. In my best Dom DeLouise voice Let The Fish Loose!! Wait one. He said pigeons. My bad. But you all get my point.
jcj
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 2:09 a.m.
Think I'll go ground hog hunting tomorrow in honor of Ms McPhail.
Dawn
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.
Fish should never be given as a prize. They are a living, feeling creature that shares this poor planet with us. They have already suffered enormously just getting to the carnival. With that in mind it doesn't surprise me that they are. We have one planet and we don't take care of that so why are we so surprised about the fish. For those that compare this to abortion.. are you serious? (That too is a decision to be made by each individual, not you.) Yes these fish were probably destined to be a feeder fish but even feeder fish have basic needs! There are many other items that would be much more appropriate, (though most of those are made in China). How about coupons from local businesses for free or discounted items instead? Free ice cream, free kids meal at a local restaurant, free school supplies form local stores. THere are many other ways to "win"!
f4phantomII
Mon, Jul 11, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.
Those coupons would be about ten times the value/price of a goldfish.
lucy
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.
They would give away mothers but if you got this one you'd drop her on the ground and clutter up fair ground. As I always say" Why can't common sence be more common". The fish have a 98% chance of death anyway (they are feeder fish). They have been giving fish away for at least 60 years that I know of. I guess if she were in CA, she'd be one of those that wanted to stop the farmers from irrigating there crops because the minnows were dying in the irrigation ditches. Duh!!!
Ricebrnr
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.
Oh lawd. Right now with mine own eyes I am witnessing the oppression of our aquatic brethren. We cannot let man's inhumanity to fishies stand. Now where them fair fries at?
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:08 a.m.
I bet she went home & grilled a steak or a chicken....Sorry I eat pork pigs are to cute!
Mike
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:12 p.m.
Cancel the carnival, call the goldfish police, get PETA involved and the humane society. Maybe carve fish out of wood as long as it is a sustainable wood and doesn't hurt the rain forests, affect any owls, or cause soil erosion. Make sure they're not produced by workers from low income countries and are sold through a fair trade outlet so an honest businessman can profit from their labor. Make sure those workers are following OSHA rules and in compliance with EPA mandates regarding content and have their MSHDA information regarding the sawdust created by the wood. Make sure the evil factory owners who produce the wood fish and make a profit are paying enough taxes to support the rest of us. And finally make sure the carnival workers take the required safety courses for handling wood products (splinters, chemicals, sawdust, etc.) and then require the prize winner to also take the class so they can safely use the wood fish.
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.
Her daughter / boyfriend made a choice to play the game knowing full well what the prizes were. If they wanted an inflatable bat or a stuffed Bob SquarePant, then play another game. Seriously, life is about making choices and living with those decisions. It's not about making a bad decision and then seeking someone else to blame.
xmo
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:20 p.m.
What would Sarah Palin do?
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:10 a.m.
You bet ya
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
She would have shot it with a hunting riffle right off the game table.
jdawg7214
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 9:06 p.m.
Our species kill off its own offspring with regularity and few bat an eye. Arguing for the value of goldfish life in light of that is pretty laughable, albeit in a macabre sort of way.
zeeba
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 1:06 a.m.
Actually, at the point where the vast majority of abortions are performed, there isn't much difference between a fetus and a goldfish. Deal with it. Of course, if you right-to-lifers were really so upset about abortion, you'd move heaven and earth to make sure kids know about birth control. Because telling people not to have sex is like telling them not to eat - if anything, it's an even stronger drive. But you guys just really, really hate sex.
Tom Joad
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 8:51 p.m.
The last thing the harried modern mom needs is to take care of a goldfish. What a hell of an inconvenience.
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.
Mom then should have made the boyfriend take responsibility for it then.
walker101
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
Why not put a poll about who really cares, so many other worthy news items and you stoop to this, really.
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.
Did you notice that there are 2 "YES" answers and only 1 "NO"? They split the yes's to make it look like there are more no's. But if you really look at it mathematically. fewer people said no overall. It's all an illusion to provoke responses.
John A2
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
Get Off The Stage!
Jay
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.
If you won a kitten it would be one things, but it's a gold fish, get over it. They are the most common and easiest fish to take care of. Eventually they die, they get an honorable flush, then you go to the store and get another on for 25 cents....
chipper
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.
I'm a bit torn about this, because my first pet, decades ago, was a goldfish I got as a giveaway when a new pool opened in my town. I took care of it the best I knew how and I think it lived about a year. That goldfish was one of the reasons I became an adult who loves animals. However, I can't say that my experience justifies giving away fish as prizes. I think that many of these fish go to homes where people aren't prepared to take care of them. When I ask myself, "How would I feel about this issue if the animal being given as a prize were a puppy or kitten?," the answer is clear to me. It would be unacceptable. And I see no reason to believe that a fish that is dying or is in a bad environment suffers any less than a puppy or kitten would.
Cathie
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
Ducks and geese and fish, oh my! Many people think goldfish are only good for a flush.
oldblueypsi
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
Okay - no goldfish next year. Piranhas!!!! (Just don't try to pet them.)
Gorc
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
Mrs. McPhail should be happy she is a the top of the food chain.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 7:37 p.m.
ironically only if she stays out of ocean.
AA
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.
It is sad that this is what a once proud daily newspaper has become. Truly, truly sad.
Joseph Lewis
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
Goldfish? My god, people are eating elephant ears! How are elephants supposed to fly with no ears?
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:13 a.m.
The horror, the horror
Joseph Lewis
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.
"I feel a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of oreos suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced."
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:45 p.m.
I don't know. But have you tried their deep fried oreos??? Yummy! Oh wait... does it hurt the oreo to be deep fried after being dipped in batter and then coated with chocolate and powdered sugar?
Terry Star21
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
Yep.....don't even need to look around at my surroundings - I'm in Ann Arbor !
a2citizen
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.
With people around here killing ducks and geese the fish are running out of natural predators. With dwindling numbers of predators, the goldfish will multiply to large numbers. Then there will not be a large enough food supply to sustain them so they will starve to a slow, agonizing death (much like the whitetail deer). So providing these creatures with a loving home may be the Jaycees purpose.
AlwaysLate
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 5:42 p.m.
Mmmm, wonder what MR. McPhail thinks about all this fish business? This is why Ann Arbor has the reputation it does... An overly sensitive, overly emotional resident with a non-issue gets front-page coverage rather than important issues such as the economy, jobs and crime. AA.com, please stop encouraging these cranks!
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:46 p.m.
Excellent point! Could you also convey this to the media? I rank a goldfish story up there with Paris Hilton.
Wilford John Presler IV
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.
They should give away Beta fighting fish as an alternate prize.....
EightySeven
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 5:12 p.m.
Try to convince me other wise, A2.com runs these type of stories to produce comments. Once the comments add up they take them to the advertisers and show how popular the stories are. These type of stories get old somebody gets their 2 minutes of fame. This is a total waste of time and if I were the reporter I would ask myself is this what I went to school for? Stand up and start to write stories that really will make a difference. With as many things that are truly wrong in this world this whack job has to take a stand against giving away goldfish?? Maybe she has her life and family in order and this deserves her attention. Get a life
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.
Well said. Bravo!
free
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 4:32 p.m.
And to think, the people that really developed the internet (as opposed to politicians who try to take the credit) thought that it would be used to spread information. If they could have seen the drivel that appears on most websites today, they would probably have pulled the plug.
Adrienne
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.
I'll concede that this is perhaps not the most news-worthy story or earth-shattering issue, but I don't really like the idea of giving away these doomed fish, either. And I doubt they're all that well cared for before they meet their new owners. But my major gripe with the carnival was the fact that many of the ride/game operators and vendors were smoking at or near their posts, which, being on school property, should be illegal? It was noxious in some areas with little crowds taking smoke breaks together. There was a police presence but either that's not in their realm of responsibility or it was being ignored in this setting. I know people smoke at tailgates but this is such a child-oriented event, and with more manageable numbers, that it seems worthwhile to at least attempt to enforce the rule. Can the organizers take a look at this?
sailhounds2
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 5:25 a.m.
Are you suggesting that the goldfish are nicotine addicts? How do we deal with that? Do we need to give them little aquatic doomed fish nicotine patches? Are you suggesting that parents who smoke should also be banned from these carnivals? What rule is it that you want police to enforce?
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:16 a.m.
Smokin' goldfish...weird
Dave
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 4:03 p.m.
Fish are a responsibility, I currently have 3 tanks and I know the work that goes into getting them setup before they are even ready for fish. I'm not opposed to the idea of giving away fish as prizes but I'd much rather see them team up with a quality pet store and instead of giving away the actual fish give away a voucher that can be redeemed at the store for a free fish. This means that someone actively has to go out of their way to claim this prize and will have access to knowledgeable people to help them get started.
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.
OR if enough people elect to play OTHER GAMES for OTHER PRIZES, perhaps then the carnival people would get rid of this game. They don't do things unless it makes them money. Hence, the deep fried oreos.
bryn
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
I'm the boyfriend's father; sadly, Chibbles is not doing "swimmingly", but died this morning. Giving away animals as prizes is ridiculous.
Ana
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 7:51 p.m.
excuse me, Mr. Craig Lounsbury, but I happen to be a member of the boyfriend's family as well, and he has extremely high values. our household has two extremely well cared for dogs and upon winning the fish, Kyle and Ellie went directly to the store to buy special water, food, and a fish tank. they wanted the prize and made a decision to take care of them. it seems to me the only person with problem is the mother. so take a step back before insulting their values. big papa bryn, I got your back.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:17 a.m.
KILLER!!!
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
Or electing to play that particular game for that particular prize was just a dumb idea to begin with. I'm sure they were plenty of other games they could have participated in. It's called - learning a lesson. Something ALL teenagers do.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 6:16 p.m.
Evidently you haven't instilled that value system in your son yet? He certainly didn't have to accept the prize.
casmom
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 3:21 p.m.
All living creatures big or small deserve to be taken care of. Having a pet is a responsibilty that should be earned not won by throwing a ball into a bowl. My daughter has come home from a school carnival with goldfish 3 years in a row. I don't want them and she won't take care of them for more than 2 days. Last year the got rid of the cake walk at her school carnival ( which was the most popular game) because a parent thought giving out cakes and cookies was unfair for her allergy child. The goldfish game still goes on despite the fact that most parents hate it. Cakes and cookies = unfair to allergy child Goldfish game = unfair to goldfish
Fredric
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 3:19 p.m.
Seriously, we joke about this but everyone does have a right to their opinion. No one should really be challenged because of speaking up on something that bothers them. I don't agree with this person but I do respect her right to say what she wants. This is what is happening in the country today, Speak out and boy do you get dumped on!!! Not Right!! Fredric
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:53 p.m.
I agree she has a right to her opinion. I think most people just didn't seem to think it ranked as a top story on a Saturday. What was number 2? Paris Hilton getting another reality show? Where is the real news?
trs80
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 3:02 p.m.
In other news: The car show was really cool! Hope you all didnt miss it.
Jack Gladney
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:57 p.m.
Seriously... Who is in charge of this website that used to be a newspaper? Seriously. A reporter with threatening to "end" dogs. Bats with rabies (With banner ad for bat control). A bear cub terrorizing Dexter. Now, goldfish. Seriously? -Mod deletes comment-
Fredric
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:55 p.m.
Bet that she does not want us to use minnows or worms to fish with ! Just a guess!!!
WalkingJoe
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
I agree that sometimes I wonder about annarbor.com's choice of stories as news but after this weeks tragedy in Grand Rapids I am sort of relieved to read something a little more tame. I was recently at a carnival where my daughter lives and they had the same prize giveaway (I believe it was the same company). I saw several parents tell their children they couldn't play because they didn't want goldfish. Of course they were small children not a teenager. As to the person who commented cotton candy came on a roll, I think you'll find that it comes in bags most times now. Probably a health and cost thing.
grye
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:52 p.m.
If this mom is so concerned about gold fish, she should go to any pet store and see how many die in the tanks. Many more things in this world to worry about.
Fredric
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
Really, I think this is the reason as to why we have so many gold fish in the Huron Rive,r They get flushed!!! IF you get my meaning!!!!
Huron 74
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
I hope this woman never stepped on an ant. Everything that lives dies. My daughter used to have a pet turtle. Part of his diet was goldfish, 10 for $1. She was fascinated watching him catch them.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 6:13 p.m.
FREE THE GOLDFISH 10!!!!!!! free all political prisoners!!!!
Davidian
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
This is proof that some of us live in a very comfortable society. Only then would someone even have the time or energy to be so sensitive about giving away goldfish.
swcornell
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:19 p.m.
Why not give out cats and dogs or mice. The humane society always has an abundance to get rid of. This would be a good way of unloading them. Then I think parents would take notice. I have had fish tanks in the past and they take as much time and care as any other pets. As a youth I once won a fish throwing ping-pong balls in a small bowl with the fish in the bowl. It died before I got home. Now that's animal cruelty! Where's PETA and the ASPCA now. Oh yea this doesn't make big enough headlines so they can use it to promote their organizations.
Christi
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:01 p.m.
I beg your pardon....I whole heartedly disagree with this practice. It should be stopped immediately! I firmly believe all life is sacred. I used to raise fish and lizards. I would be very upset if someone threw away one on my fish or lizards after I gave it to them. I suspect that happens in this instance. Truly, put yourself in the position of the creature. And yes I do have a life. A very rich and full life. Thank you very much. CC
Mike
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:17 p.m.
@craig - haven't you ever heard of purina lizard chow?
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 6:12 p.m.
what did you feed your lizards? Most lizards are omnivores are they not? Did you ever buy them crickets to feed?
snoopdog
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 1:51 p.m.
Anyone with half a brain knows it is inhumane to give away gold fish. Most of them die within a day or two because they are not properly cared for. At the Saline fair three years ago, I saw a little girl drop her goldfish on the dirt, the bag exploded and the fish was flopping around in the dirt. Her mommy told to just "leave it there". I rescued the poor little critter putting it in a paper cup which I filled with a bottle of water. Took it home for a few days and then took it to my sister's backyard Koi pond. The little goldfish is now about 4 inches long and doing just fine. Good Day
Ann English
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:32 p.m.
That goldfish probably got a lot of mosquito larvae to feed on from that pond; everybody with a landscape pond should put goldfish in it to keep the mosquito population down.
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.
I prefer people who think with a full brain myself.
chipper
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 7:33 p.m.
Thank you for your compassion, snoopdog! It's nice to read something positive.
Fredric
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
Bet she does not want us to use Minnows or worms to fish either! Just a guess.
Fredric
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
Hey snoopdog, I guess I only have half a brain because I think it is OK to give away these fish. Next thing is you will be telling us that is not OK to fish with Worms or Minnows!
CincoDeMayo
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:12 p.m.
Wow Snoopdog, I'm surprised (and impressed) with your actions in this case! You really wagged more and barked less this time....
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 1:42 p.m.
I think the three top responses here say most of what needs to be said about this topic. After all, gold fish are CARP. It's okay for parents to have their own policies regarding "gift pets" and "found pets" - but that's the parent's responsibility - to TELL their children they have such a policy governing the children's choices. Rules - begin at home, you know. Cross-over solution: the carnival operators should get a license to capture Canada Geese and give those away as prizes. honk!-honk!
Susan Foltin
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
This story saddens me as a long time resident of Ann Arbor and someone who has attended the carnival for several years with great enjoyment. How can someone know what they're playing for, win a prize and then be upset over it? And even more surprising, make top billing in the newspaper? If this is the biggest news in Ann Arbor, it must have been a boring night. And next time, the mother should tell her daughter to just play Skee-ball.
Kaye Nitlof
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:55 p.m.
Skee-ball??? Now there's a game that has stood the test of time.
pest
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 1:28 p.m.
Sushi!!!!!!!!!!
Ricebrnr
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 1:09 p.m.
So glad AA.com has come up with a winning formula for driving traffic. Animal injustice stories! When are you going to change your name? AA.com to AAA.com AnnArborAnimals.com Can't wait for the changes!
Dave
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 1:06 p.m.
Really? How about just using this as an opportunity to teach your child responsibility for another life? Goldfish are a great start. Bowl, water, food. And yes, the bowl needs to be cleaned, the water needs to be changed, and goldfish do get sick. You can also teach your child about choices. Choice not to play the game, choice not to accept the prize, and choice to give the goldfish to some other kid who really wants to take care of it. You just chose complaining.
sweetmate
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 12:26 p.m.
Just another person with too much time on her hands and instead of dealing with the situation in her house is trying to tell the world how things should go. Since more than likely that fish would have wound up feeding another, bigger fish (since honey, that's where most goldfish end up!), let's have her be the one to drop that fish into the tank and watch another fish gobble it up. That will solve her touchy-feely feelings about the fish being at the carnival. Oh, and if you don't want your daughter to have the fish, tell the boyfriend to take them to his house. Done.
Charles Stevens
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 12:21 p.m.
Somebody needs to get a grip, you are worried about a Goldfish dying when there are approx 4000 human babies murdered in Ann Arbor each year through abortion which should be prosecuted as 1st degree murder?
A2Esq
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 1:02 p.m.
Dont the ever so often cited Annarbor.com "conversation guidelines" actually require comments to relate to the story at issue? Spare us the off topic sermon, sir.
Macabre Sunset
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.
Somebody seems to have other fish to fry today,
CincoDeMayo
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
Again, that respect for life is learned through showing.....respect for life.
InsideTheHall
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 12:12 p.m.
"You just can't make this stuff up." - Barrack Obama (October 2008) At least this story has more entertainment value than single strem recycling or Pat Lesko ranting about the Mayoral Palace down on Huron Street. Only in the People's Republic of Ann Arbor is any of this possible.
lisam
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 12:04 p.m.
Only in Ann Arbor. Can only imagine the mother is getting flooded with calls this morning on her great efforts to save a fish....and her 16 YO daughter is dying of embarrassment.
bluetonguedlizard
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 12:04 p.m.
Your teenage daughter should know what the rules are for your house and what the consequences are for her actions. I don't think you can blame someone else for your lack of parenting.
Elaine F. Owsley
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:47 a.m.
Tom Swift - "require a bowel"? I'm reasonably certain that goldfish all have "bowels". What these need is a "bowl". Staff -I also don't believe that cotton candy comes in bags. Isn't it on a roll of paper - used to be.
jcj
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 2:07 a.m.
It does come in bags sometimes.
CincoDeMayo
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:44 a.m.
My 7 year old won an Angel fish at the Bellville Strawberry Festival one year and named it Strawberry. Strawberry promptly died the next morning. We went to the pet store and got a replacement, Blueberry. Blueberry lived for at least seven years. Im not sure how long theyare supposed to live, but it lived far beyond his interest in taking care of it! I suspect the first fish was exposed to extreme heat and not well taken care of to begin with. This is a silly story, but if what you want to teach your kids is respect for living things, fish qualify.
CincoDeMayo
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 10:04 p.m.
Thanks for the info stunhsif. I forgot, though, it was actually a Beta that he had won.
stunhsif
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 3:16 p.m.
Angel fish are very fragile when it comes to sudden water temp changes and changes in ph levels of water. The temp they can live safely in would be 70-80 degree water. A goldfish on the other hand can handle water temps from almost freezing to near 90. Seven years is a long time for an Angel fish. Goldfish can live 20 years or more.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:41 a.m.
after reading this I have the barely controllable urge to tweet about my new ping pong paddle.
Dot
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:19 p.m.
please do not tell us that you assault your new paddle by hitting it with your balls. we'll have to call the ping-pong-paddle-police. pronto.
CincoDeMayo
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 12:13 p.m.
love it!
Niagra
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:38 a.m.
Ms McPhall, I appreciate your compassion and from the results of the poll, the majority of readers agree. It's refreshing to see a compassionate story be a lead story. And by the way, no life is insignificant. Keep up the good work, Ms McPhall! Peace to each and everyone, (including the goldfish!!) :)
Steph B
Tue, Jul 12, 2011 : 5 p.m.
No need to be rude, Zeeba. We all have our different opinions. I don't agree with half of them on here, but slander and rudeness is not the way to state your point. Please be respectful.
trs80
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 3:01 p.m.
I take it you have never eaten fish? Its really good for you, I think you should try it.
zeeba
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 12:17 p.m.
Oh - so I suppose you would encourage her to be similarly concerned if her daughter obtained a loaf of bread at the homebaked goods booth? After all, just think of all those poor yeast cells that died in agony in those infernal ovens. Not to mention what happens to their kinfolk in the beer tent.
Tami Bishop
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:21 a.m.
OMG SERIOUSLY!!!?? This game has been around for ages, how does this woman surprised by it!? They know the prize when playing the game, if they aren't prepared to take one home and care for it then they shouldn't be playing the game.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:06 a.m.
Way to EZ You can't get your name & picture in the "paper" that way
Susan Foltin
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 2:08 p.m.
ITA
zeeba
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:21 a.m.
Most goldfish are raised to be feeder fish for predatory species. They should only be so lucky to end up a prize at a county fair. Goldfish are also hardy and can be kept in a goldfish bowl, rather than an aerated aquarium. provided it is kept clean. Mom needs to get a grip.
oldblueypsi
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:14 a.m.
How about a pair of Canada geese in lieu of the fishes? If you feed them, they'll hang around. If you don't, they'll forage for themselves (and may or may not hang around).
A2comments
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:05 a.m.
Top story? Really?
UlyssesSwrong
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 9:09 p.m.
In all fairness, AnnArbor is a humble, rarely rocking with provocative news area, so it's no surprise that stories of lesser importance are brought to the forefront. It does hi light the important issue in our society about animal rights though, so as bored stiff as they may be, it's a good news piece.
jns131
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
I love coming into stories like these. Makes me realize one thing. This on line service is bored stiff and need to stir up the community...again. I agree, this is something that is age old and this story needs to be mothballed. Get a hobby and a life.
SonnyDog09
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:04 a.m.
This is another typical aa.com story. Someone gets their shorts all twisted up over something insignificant and tries to make a mountain out of a molehill. Get a life! If you don't like the prize, don't accept the prize. Problem solved.
UlyssesSwrong
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 9:05 p.m.
You are right, but in their defense, the Internet allows us to showcase a multitude of stories that wouldn't be possible in the print news paper. As silly as some of the stories can be to many of us (making a mountain out of a molehill), I think it's a great thing that the news switched to a medium where we get a huge selection of stories, even if some of them are about goldfish animal rights. It also gauges the AnnArbor.com audience interests because, as we see, this is somehow a top story, so news like this is popular and readers will get what they want. As for protesting goldfish as prizes, this idea is not new to me, I've heard it before. This lady is simply falling in line and echoing the ideas of other animal rights lovers. Though every creature with life is important I don't see a huge problem with giving goldfish as prizes. Sure you're handing off a living creature to potentially sadistic and twisted children and fairgoers, but more likely than not the intentions for the little critters are good.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 12:04 a.m.
That would be to EZ
Ron Granger
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.
It is about having respect for life, and teaching that to kids.
bedrog
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:02 a.m.
@ tom swift: "they don't require a bowel"??? anyone who has cleaned a stable would disagree ( and i dont want to even contemplate an equine colostomy bag!)
tom swift jr.
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 5:04 p.m.
Yeah.I caught that the second I hit the submit button. But with a large enough cork...it might be possible
KathrynHahn
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:39 a.m.
NO! I used to have a tank of fish, many from the carnival, until I got one that brought ich to my tank and killed every fish in it! Unless they can provide healthy fish, no fish are better!
Ann English
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:23 p.m.
I've read of ichthyophterius (hope I spelled it right) only in a Henry Huggins story, so it was fiction. I didn't know that ich isn't limited to guppies or that it's contagious or life-threatening, only that cold temperatures cause it and that guppies would get tiny white spots from it. That's what Beverly Cleary's Gallons of Guppies short short story said; the pet shop owner told Henry this. So it is for real.
tom swift jr.
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 10:17 a.m.
I would suggest thy give away ponies, they are easier to keep alive and don't require a bowel.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:18 a.m.
well played Tom Swift, nice humor.
A2comments
Sat, Jul 9, 2011 : 11:03 a.m.
Actually, ponies do require bowels, they use them to poop all over the yard. And they need bowls of water to drink.