Activists decry NYC residents‘ decision to keep goldfish in hydrant puddle during winter

Residents of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn have recently found themselves in the midst of a unique situation involving a makeshift pond housing 100 goldfish in a shallow water hydrant puddle near Tompkins Avenue and Hancock Street. This peculiar pond has garnered attention from both locals and visitors, sparking a debate about the living conditions of the fish.

The controversy surrounding the pond escalated when veterinarian Benjamin Rosenbloom, founder of Wet Pet Vet in New York City, labeled the situation as animal abuse. Rosenbloom expressed concerns about the well-being of the goldfish, stating that the shallow and unfiltered water in the hydrant puddle could be detrimental to the fish’s health. He emphasized that the chlorinated water and lack of filtration could lead to toxic conditions for the fish, ultimately impacting their survival.

Despite the veterinarian’s warnings, residents of Bedford-Stuyvesant, particularly Hajj Malik-Lovick and Je Quan Irving, the creators of the pond, remain determined to ensure the fish’s survival. Malik-Lovick has taken the initiative to crowdfund for plexiglass and a filtration system to protect the fish as the weather cools down. He views the pond as a community beautification project that has brought together residents of all ages, from schoolchildren to long-time locals.

The pond has also faced opposition from city officials, with the Department of Environmental Protection shutting off the leaking hydrant that feeds the pond multiple times. Despite these interventions, the pond’s defenders have consistently reopened the hydrant to maintain the pond. Beth DeFalco, the DEP’s Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs and Communications, stressed the safety concerns associated with damaged hydrants and urged for the fish to be relocated to a more suitable environment.

In response to the criticism and complaints, Malik-Lovick defended the pond, arguing that the goldfish are living a better life in the pond compared to their fate in plastic bags at carnivals. He questioned the notion of animal abuse, highlighting that the fish are being cared for and fed regularly in the pond. Malik-Lovick’s perspective challenges the conventional norms of goldfish care, emphasizing that the fish do not require extensive space to thrive.

The ongoing saga of the Bedford-Stuyvesant goldfish pond continues to captivate the neighborhood, with residents divided on the ethical implications of the makeshift aquarium. As the debate rages on, the fate of the goldfish remains uncertain, caught between conflicting opinions on what constitutes proper animal care.