Goldfish Bowls Banned for Animal Cruelty

(Rome, Italy) Animal rights activists have convinced the Rome City Council that goldfish in bowls go blind so a law was passed banning goldfish bowls. The law also makes it illegal for fish or other animals to be given away as carnival prizes. It's unknown whether the law applies only to live animals or whether it includes toy animals such as teddy bears.

The law in Rome comes on the heels of legislation in the northern Italian city of Turin which mandates that dogs must be walked three times a day. Violators will be fined 500 euros (about $600).

It's not clear how these laws are going to be enforced. For example, unless people punch a clock, how could compliance to the dog-walking law be verified? GPS? The Pet Police outside a person's door? I don't know. And, are the goldfish bowls going to be considered contraband with smugglers jailed? Who knows? My guess is that these laws are going to be law enforcement headaches.