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Got it Edition CA NY • US News (https://nypost.com/us-news/) • Metro (https://nypost.com/metro/) • Long Island (https://nypost.com/long-island/) • Politics (https://nypost.com/politics/) • World News (https://nypost.com/world-news/) Search Search Recommended Skip to main content (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/#content) Vile sex ads disgust SoCal neighborhood — getting rid of them is not so simple (https://nypost.com/2026/07/08/us-news/vile-sex-ads-disgust-socal-neighborhood-getting-rid-of-them-is-not-so-simple/) Figueroa: Gavin Newsom and Scott Wiener’s canyon of despair (https://nypost.com/2026/07/08/opinion/figueroa-gavin-newsom-and-scott-wieners-canyon-of-despair/) Conor McGregor making first-time sacrifice ahead of UFC return — wife may not be happy (https://nypost.com/2026/07/09/sports/conor-mcgregor-making-first-time-sacrifice-ahead-of-ufc-return-his-wife-may-not-be-happy/) Paige Bueckers is ‘everything we expected Caitlin Clark to be,’ ex-NFL wide reciever boldly claims (https://nypost.com/2026/07/09/sports/paige-bueckers-is-everything-we-expected-caitlin-clark-to-be-ex-nfl-wide-reciever-boldly-claims/) Travis Kelce’s brother makes first comments on Taylor Swift’s wedding — as he reveals how many beers he crushed (https://nypost.com/2026/07/09/sports/jason-kelce-provides-new-details-on-travis-and-taylor-swifts-wedding/) Max Holloway’s wife Alessa shares leopard-print bikini pic before Conor McGregor UFC fight (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/sports/max-holloways-wifes-bikini-pic-before-ufc-bout-vs-mcgregor/) NYPD Academy legend retires after training more than 20K recruits over seven years (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nypd-academy-legend-lt-jose-caraballo-retires/) Century-old LA store gets dramatic transformation amid community complaints (https://nypost.com/2026/07/08/us-news/100-year-old-la-corner-store-gets-glam-makeover-amid-uproar-from-residents/) Metro (https://nypost.com/metro/) exclusive NYC Council eyes sinking goldfish prizes at carnivals By Rich Calder (https://nypost.com/author/rich-calder/) Published July 11, 2026, 1:04 p.m. ET Comments Video 9 (blob:https://nypost.com/a8b47005-93be-4a2a-8f50-96ee109f807f)1/1 Skip Ad Continue watching after the ad Visit Advertiser websiteGO TO PAGE (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/#) Video 10 (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/) Video 11 (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/) Video 12 (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/) Video 13 (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/) Video 14 (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/) Video 15 (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/) Video 16 (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/) See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=nypost.com) A Queens pol (https://nypost.com/2026/03/21/us-news/four-lefty-nyc-pols-subpoenaed-in-gop-colleagues-free-speech-suit-to-explain-their-racist-remarks-about-conservatives/)is pushing new legislation to ban giving away live fish as novelty prizes at NYC-based fairs, carnivals and other festivals. Councilwoman Vickie Paladino’s bill (https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=8123736&GUID=E16BAAB2-24FA-4982-B2B2-09F536DBBCC2) especially targets the longtime carnival practice of awarding goldfish to winners of Ping-Pong toss and similar carnival games. The fish are typically handed out in small plastic bags. Many animal-rights groups — including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — vehemently oppose the giveaways because they believe it subjects fish to extreme stress, shock and oxygen starvation and frequently results in death even before the winner gets their prize home. Event organizers violating the proposed measure, which Paladino (R-Queens) introduced on June 30, would face a $100 fine for a first offense and up to $2,000 for repeat offenses. 3 (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/#) Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino is pushing new legislation that would ban giving away live fish as novelty prizes at NYC-based fairs, carnivals and other festivals. Paul Martinka Paladino decided to make a splash on the topic after a group of twisted teen boys attending a carnival in late May hosted by St. Luke School in Whitestone went out of their way to win goldfish just to torture them, said the pol’s chief political strategist and son, Thomas Paladino Jr. Explore More https://nypost.com/2026/07/10/us-news/new-jersey-woman-with-boobs-tattoo-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-child-posting-twisted-footage-on-snapchat-cops/ New Jersey woman with ‘boobs’ tattoo accused of sexually assaulting child, posting twisted footage on Snapchat: cops (https://nypost.com/2026/07/10/us-news/new-jersey-woman-with-boobs-tattoo-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-child-posting-twisted-footage-on-snapchat-cops/) https://nypost.com/2026/07/10/us-news/nolan-wells-frantic-plea-during-argument-with-friends-before-vanishing-revealed-by-family-lawyer/ Nolan Wells’ frantic plea during argument with friends before he vanished revealed by family lawyer (https://nypost.com/2026/07/10/us-news/nolan-wells-frantic-plea-during-argument-with-friends-before-vanishing-revealed-by-family-lawyer/) https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/times-reporters-subpoenaed-after-air-force-one-report/ Trump admin subpoenas NYT reporters over claim $400M Air Force One jet swapped out during Turkey trip (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/times-reporters-subpoenaed-after-air-force-one-report/) “It was ugly,” recalled the younger Paladino, claiming the kids flung and “stomped on” the fish, and pulled their fins to make some teenage girls squeamish. 3 (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/#) Part of an Instragram post Paladino fired off in June explaining her reasoning for seeking to ban live-fish prizes. Instagram / Councilwoman Vickie Paladino “While this may seem like a small issue in a city facing many challenges, this incident made clear that live animals should not be treated as novelties or prizes,” the councilwoman wrote June 1 on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DZCDUIRDhHj/). “They deserve humane treatment and responsible care. No animal should be subjected to cruelty.” St. Luke School did not return messages. 3 (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/#) The bill especially targets the longtime carnival practice of awarding goldfish to winners of Ping-Pong toss and similar carnival games, typically handed out in small plastic bags. Alexis C Glenn/UPI / Shutterstock Councilman Frank Morano, a Staten Island Republican, said he’s backing the bill because it’s about protecting animals, not spoiling the fun. “This is a small but sensible animal-welfare reform that brings a little more humanity to how we do things in New York City,” he said. • OFFICIAL STORE Happy Birthday, USA! Celebrate 250 years by owning a piece of America’s historic milestone. Grab our limited-edition birthday hat, puzzle, framed prints, and more today! New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. SHOP NOW SHOP NOW New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. https://shop.nypost.com/collections/america-turns-250/ “If you want to give out prizes at fairs or street festivals, there are plenty of better options: stuffed animals, gift cards, toys, or even tickets and vouchers. “Anything but a living animal.” What do you think?Be the first to comment. (https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/us-news/nyc-council-eyes-ban-on-carnivals-giving-live-goldfish-as-prizes/#nypost-openweb-conversation) If the bill is approved, NYC would join a growing list of jurisdictions that already ban the practice, including the states of Connecticut and Iowa and the city of Berkeley, Calif. New York State prohibits giving away most live animals as prizes — except fish and purebred livestock such as cattle and horses. 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