08-07-2025
Five bizarre words man uttered about Donald Trump before allegedly eating a live GOLDFISH in a pet store - as staff member reveals their horror: 'I heard him crunch on it'
A man has been charged after he allegedly walked into a pet store and ate a goldfish in front of shocked staff and customers.
The man allegedly said 'this is for Donald Trump ' before eating the live red and white comet goldfish in Sydney 's Castle Hill Petbarn at 12pm on Sunday.
Police allege the 20-year-old had been on a Discord video call at the time and that the incident was part of a social media stunt.
The man then left the store before returning a short time later to pay for the $8 fish he allegedly consumed.
An investigation was quickly launched to find the man after staff raised the alarm.
NSW Police have said they are taking the matter 'seriously due to concerns around animal cruelty and public decency'.
The man has since attended Castle Hill Police station and is now assisting officers with their inquiries.
Despite the seriousness of the situation Castle Hill Police chose to refer to the man as the 'goldfish gobbler' in a follow-up statement released after he was found.
NSW Police subsequently charged the man with animal cruelty after alleging he ate the red and white comet goldfish as part of a social media stunt (pictured, stock)
Staff in the store said the man displayed no hesitation before putting the fish in his mouth and biting down.
'He swallowed the whole thing in front of me … I heard him crunch on it,' they told the Daily Telegraph.
'He walked straight over to the tank, picked it up and ate it,' another alleged.
The man has been charged with committing an act of animal cruelty and behaving in an offensive manner.
He will appear in Parramatta Local Court in August.
