Betta Splendens are typically not treated with the same care as other fish or animals in pet stores are. Instead, they’re simply neglected and left to die if not purchased. They are placed in small, often half-filled cups, which are not given changes of fresh water, leaving the fish to swim in its own waste products. This leaves the fish vulnerable to diseases and in worst cases the conditions actually lead to the death of the fish. Buyers who purchase these fish are left with short-lived pets, only to return and purchase more. This begs the question of whether the stores are aware of their wrongdoing and intentionally lead consumers to believe that the fish actually enjoy these conditions, with the intention of forcing them to buy fish more frequently, when with proper care they should live for several years. Or, we could instead be left with the assumption that corporations and store keepers truly don’t know enough about the animal that they’re selling and believe it is safe under these conditions.

The extreme mistreatment and intolerable abuse of these fish, for whatever motive or lack of understanding, is sickening, appalling, and unacceptable yet is widely accepted by those who purchase fish from these stores. This petition seeks to spread awareness of this practice to those who do not know or understand, and also to move towards correcting those who continue to abuse these living creatures.

Active petitioners may take such actions upon themselves as spreading flyers with correct and verified information to their local pet stores and fish shops to arm the staff with information, as well as providing handouts for customers to take home with their new fish. Petitioners might also send letters to managers of chain stores, business owners or executives, and others in positions of power who could make a difference in the way their living merchandise is handled.

To reach an acceptable and tolerable resolution to this problem in as many problem areas as possible, this petition seeks the attention of organization who can help the petitioners to mobilize the effort and disable misinformation while promoting better practices, saving the lives of fish.

Let’s put the fight back in the Siamese Fighting fish.

 

Above is written by someone or some organisation who wishes to file a petition. What is your view ? Do you think this will help solve the problem ?

I came across this picture in one of the betta fish sites. Most countries have laws that prohibit cruelty to animals. However betta fish fighting is still one of the favorite past time and betting activities in some countries , particularly in South East Asia.  Like cock fighting , betta fish fighting is a native sport of Thailand. Though this activity is seldom seen in the city area nowadays , many betting are still active in the countryside.

This widely debated and controversial practice is thought to be inhumane by many people. Should betta fish be sold for fighting purpose ? We probably feel that we live in a modern and civilized society where any sort of animal cruelty is not tolerated. In fact many countries punish those convicted of cruelty to animals. Yet , many of this cruelty to animals are happening behind the scene …

What is your opinion on this ?