Target: Cllr Dave Norman, Cabinet Member for Trading Standards, Gloucestershire, England.
Goal: Demand a swift independent probe and accountability for the alleged abuse and suffocation of fish.
Visitors and investigators documented harrowing scenes at a long-running trout attraction where fish were allegedly struck repeatedly with batons, mishandled, and left gasping on the ground for extended periods. According to animal-welfare advocates, some trout were hit as many as ten times before losing movement, with one fish apparently left out of water for about twenty minutes. Footage also reportedly shows trout moving or gasping long after an initial blow and still-living fish being taken toward gutting.
Witnesses further allege that members of the public—including a child—were allowed to participate in killing fish despite rules said to prohibit this. These accounts suggest potential breaches of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015, which require that animals not endure prolonged or unnecessary suffering. Although the business has publicly said welfare is its “highest priority,” the reported footage paints a deeply troubling picture of suffering and inadequate oversight.
Given the gravity of the allegations, decisive action is necessary. Sign below to demand Trading Standards and relevant authorities investigate, secure, and review all available evidence, and—if violations are substantiated—pursue the strongest penalties, including prosecutions, licensing consequences, mandatory staff retraining, continuous on-site supervision by trained personnel, and halt any public killing activities unless and until robust, audited safeguards are in place.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Cllr Norman,
We are writing about disturbing allegations from a Gloucestershire trout attraction, where visitors reportedly beat fish repeatedly with batons, mishandled them, and left them to suffocate—sometimes for many minutes—while a child was allegedly allowed to take part in killing. Reports further claim that improperly stunned trout were seen moving or gasping long after an initial blow, and that some still-living fish were taken toward gutting.
These accounts appear to contradict core requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015, which prohibit prolonged or unnecessary suffering. The scenes described—fish reportedly struck up to ten times and left out of water for up to twenty minutes—are deeply concerning and suggest serious welfare failings that demand urgent scrutiny.
We respectfully urge your office to initiate a swift, independent investigation with Trading Standards and relevant partners; secure and review all available footage and witness statements; and, if the allegations are substantiated, file all applicable charges, impose maximum penalties, consider licensing consequences, require comprehensive staff retraining and strict supervision ratios, and suspend any public “catch-and-kill” activities until enforceable, audited safeguards are proven effective. Transparent outcomes and ongoing monitoring will help restore public trust and protect animals from further harm.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Nayan j Nath
