RSPCA launches investigation into video of man eating goldfish alive

A man who filmed himself eating a goldfish alive, then posted the footage online, could face up to six months in jail after the RSPCA saw it.

Louis Cole, 28, was filmed plucking the 10cm-long goldfish out of a bowl, putting it in his mouth and then eating it alive.

During the video, which has been viewed more than 120,000 times, the fish’s tail is seen wriggling in his mouth as he attempts to bite into it.

Despite retching throughout most of the stunt, he still manages to chew and swallow the fish – washing it down with a glass of water.

[Warning: Some people may find the following image distressing]

At the end of footage, he says: “That was really, really bitter - the most bitter thing I've ever eaten.”

The RSPCA is now investigating the former youth worker, from Roehampton, south-west London, for animal cruelty.

After spotting the shocking footage on his YouTube channel, the RSPCA sent a letter to Mr Cole threatening legal action for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under sections nine and four of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The letter, which Cole posted on his Facebook page, also said he was being investigated for breaching the duty of a person responsible for an animal to ensure its welfare.

If the charity does prosecute, Mr Cole could face up to six months in prison or a £20,000 fine.

The goldfish is not first animal he has eaten. Mr Cole has previously been filmed eating a live tarantula, a scorpion and 10 dead mice which he blended into paste.

His actions were previously condemned by the charity, but it could not launch an investigation because the animals were excluded by the welfare act.

In a statement, the charity said: “The RSPCA is investigating after footage of a man swallowing a goldfish was posted on YouTube. As our enquiries are ongoing we cannot give further details at this stage.

“But we are in contact with YouTube and Facebook asking them to take [the video] down as we believe that it breaches their own guidelines."