Has anyone ever called Animal Control about the conditions the Koi fish at Bon Buffet are living in?

Today I went in for what may be the last time. I always figured something would be done about their environment considering the amount of people that eat at the restaurant. It's been quite a while since I've eaten there, and the fish are much bigger than they were since the last time I was in there, and still in what looks like a 55 gallon tank. Koi fish require 240 gallons of water each: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi#Keeping_koi

The fish are as large as a foot, if not more. They have difficulty turning around, and often just sit around at the bottom of the tank. They deserve better than that.

I called Animal Control today. I was told that they would send someone down there, I'm going to check back with them in a few days to make sure something was done. If not... I don't know where else to turn. I know they're just fish, but they're still living things. A Koi can be trained as easily as a cat or a dog. Just thought I'd say something, because I've never heard much about it.

Where is the :shakinghead: smilie?

A Koi can be trained

...but can you eat them?

Are you for real? :lmao:

...but can you eat them?Do they make good filets?? A little cajon seasoning and :yum:

Maybe she needs to ask how the fish feel about the tank :shrug:

Are you for real? :lmao:

I wonder if AC laughed..:lol:

Are you for real? :lmao:
Where is your compassion man? :jameo:

Get a sledge hammer and go set them free.

Where is the :shakinghead: smilie?

<table class="tborder" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="1" width="100%"><tbody id="collapseobj_usercp_reputation" style=""><tr><td class="alt2">(RED)
</td> <td class="alt1Active" id="p2209381" width="50%">Koi Fish at Bon Buffet (http://showthread.php?p=2209381#post2209381)</td> <td class="alt2" nowrap="nowrap">07-16-2007 01:21 PM</td> <td class="alt1" width="50%">Oh, like your posts are so much better.</td></tr></tbody></table>


KMA. :moon:

Get a sledge hammer and go set them free.
born free as free as the wind blows :whistle:

A Koi can be trained as easily as a cat or a dog.
I'm not trying to bust on you, but...

:killingme

Fetch! Roll over! Play dead! .... uh...oh....

...but can you eat them?

I know I'm about to open a can of worms:

You can eat a dog, but it's not usually considered a nice thing to do.

I'm not trying to bust on you, but...

:killingme

Fetch! Roll over! Play dead! .... uh...oh....
Oh yeah don't forget when they come running to the door to greet you! :yay:

You can eat a dog, but it's not usually considered a nice thing to do.

You know me. I'll eat anything if it tastes good. :shrug:

I'm not trying to bust on you, but...

:killingme

Fetch! Roll over! Play dead! .... uh...oh....

Yeah, yeah, I know. But really, have you seen the tank I'm talking about? I feel horrible every time I check out of that place.

Yeah, yeah, I know. But really, have you seen the tank I'm talking about? I feel horrible every time I check out of that place.
psst it's the food that is making you feel horrible :jameo:

But really, have you seen the tank I'm talking about?
No, I try to avoid the Bon Buffet.

Is the tank at least clean? Because you'd think that would gross out the diners to have this nasty fish tank sitting where they're trying to eat.

Oh...wait...what was I thinking? They're at the Bon Buffet - I don't think a grody fish tank will bother them. :lol:

Has anyone ever called Animal Control about the conditions the Koi fish at Bon Buffet are living in?

Today I went in for what may be the last time. I always figured something would be done about their environment considering the amount of people that eat at the restaurant. It's been quite a while since I've eaten there, and the fish are much bigger than they were since the last time I was in there, and still in what looks like a 55 gallon tank. Koi fish require 240 gallons of water each: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi#Keeping_koi

The fish are as large as a foot, if not more. They have difficulty turning around, and often just sit around at the bottom of the tank. They deserve better than that.

I called Animal Control today. I was told that they would send someone down there, I'm going to check back with them in a few days to make sure something was done. If not... I don't know where else to turn. I know they're just fish, but they're still living things. A Koi can be trained as easily as a cat or a dog. Just thought I'd say something, because I've never heard much about it.

Each person supposed to have certain amount of living space too. So who do I call if I know of families living in a cramp house/apartment to save for their child's education, so they don't end up in welfare? Is that a violation too?

I do eat at Bon Buffet and I don't sense too much stress for the Koi who swims leisurely in the tank waiting to be fed. Now the owners will be force to either spend a lot of money for a new fish tank or just go ahead and include the Koi in their menu. Please be realistic and don't start a welfare program for the fish.

Oh yeah don't forget when they come running to the door to greet you! :yay:

Koi will recognize the person feeding them and gather around at dinnertime

It's not the same, but if they were kept in a pond like they're supposed to it would be different. They do come to their owners, like any other pet.

I'm not saying I'm a vegetarian/activist or anything like that, but Koi are meant to be pets. Pets are meant to be treated fairly, and there are laws in place to make sure that they are.


N.Y. Court Finds Animal Cruelty Extends to Pet Fish
By Mark Fass
New York Law Journal
03-30-2006

In a case of first impression, New York's Appellate Division, 1st Department, has upheld the felony aggravated-cruelty-to-animals conviction of a man who, in the midst of a violent attack on his girlfriend and her family, turned to her 9-year-old son, and said, "You want to see something awesome?" and then purposefully crushed a pet goldfish underneath his foot.

The decision turned largely on whether a goldfish may be considered a domesticated, "companion animal."

In a 17-page opinion that included an extended discourse into the history of domestication, the 1st Department ruled that the reach of the state's Aggravated Cruelty to Animals law is broad.

Specifically, the panel held, a goldfish may indeed be considered a pet under the law.

"[T]he statutory language is consistent with the People's contention that 'domesticated' is commonly understood to mean 'to adapt (an animal or plant) to life in intimate association with and to the advantage of humans,'" Justice James M. Catterson wrote for the unanimous panel in People v. Garcia, 7863. "Thus, a goldfish such as the one herein is a domesticated rather than a wild animal within the common meaning of the term."

He added, "Moreover, the goldfish was, as the statute requires, 'normally maintained in or near the household of the owner or person who cares for [them].' Indeed, acknowledging that the goldfish is one of the most common household pets, defense counsel stipulated at trial that there are 'millions of fish owners throughout the country.'"

The panel however modified Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Marcy L. Kahn's decision, vacating defendant Michael Garcia's conviction for attempted assault and reducing his aggregate sentence for the attack from 7-1/2-to-15 years to 5-1/2-to-11 years.

Garcia went on a rampage against Emelie Martinez and her family on Aug. 2, 2003.

"At about 3:00 a.m., Martinez awoke on the sofa to find the defendant standing over her, holding the fish tank," according to the decision. "The defendant threw the fish tank into the television set, saying, 'That could have been you.' The fish tank shattered, as did the television screen and a portion of a glass wall unit."

Garcia also shattered the VCR owned by Martinez's 9-year-old son, Juan.

Later, as Garcia helped clean up the mess, Juan came out of his room with his two younger sisters behind him, crying. At that point, Garcia crushed the goldfish -- one of three the family owned, each named for a different sibling.

The next day the violence continued, with Garcia beating Martinez repeatedly in her bedroom and then attacking Juan.

He was arrested later that day and convicted of attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, assault, endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated cruelty to animals.

COMPANION FISH

On Tuesday, the 1st Department vacated the attempted-assault conviction, but it upheld the remaining convictions and set forth new precedent regarding the types of animals that are considered pets under Agriculture and Markets Law §353-a(1).

The "Aggravated Cruelty To Animals [law] represents the Legislature's recognition that man's inhumanity to man often begins with inhumanity to those creatures that have formed particularly close relationships with mankind," Catterson wrote. "The scope of §353-a(1) is a question of first impression for the Appellate Division, and the instant case compels the conclusion that its reach is broad."

Known as Buster's Law -- in honor of an 18-month-old tabby that was doused with kerosene and set on fire by a Schenectady, N.Y., teenager in 1997 -- AML §353-a(1) makes the intentional killing of or causing of serious physical injury to a "companion animal" a felony subject to a maximum prison sentence of 2 years.

A "companion animal" is defined as "any dog or cat, and shall also mean any other domesticated animal normally maintained in or near the household of" its owner.

Garcia appealed the animal-cruelty conviction.

"The defendant contends that a fish is not a companion animal because it is not domesticated and because there is no reciprocity or mutuality of feeling between a fish and its owner, such as there is between a dog or a cat and its owner," according to the decision. "He maintains that the statute's reference to 'any other' domesticated animal limits 'companion animals' to those that are similar to dogs or cats, that is, those with a degree of sentience sufficiently elevated to enable them to enter into a relationship of mutual affection with a human being."

Catterson -- along with Justices John T. Buckley, Joseph P. Sullivan, Milton L. Williams and Luis A. Gonzalez -- disagreed.

"The Legislature simply did not require a reciprocity of affection in the definition of 'companion animal,'" Catterson wrote.

The panel also dismissed the defense's argument that domesticated animals by definition "no longer possess the disposition or inclination to escape."

"Loyalty, if that is what it is, is merely another characteristic urged by defendant but not included by the Legislature as a defining feature of a companion animal," Catterson stated. "While this trait arguably distinguishes fish from dogs and, probably to a lesser extent cats, it fails to take into account that many other animals commonly considered pets, such as hermit crabs, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits, would depart for less confining venues and greener pastures if given the opportunity."

Although the decision sets new precedent regarding animal cruelty, on a practical level it will have no effect on the present case. Garcia's 5-year sentence for killing the goldfish was merged into his sentence on the other charges.

Robert S. Dean of the Center for Appellate Litigation represented Garcia. He said that absent the other charges the killing of the goldfish would not have merited a 2-year sentence. He added that his client intends to appeal.

Assistant District Attorneys Alice Wiseman and Donald J. Siewert represented the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Through a spokeswoman, they declined to comment.

Fetch! Roll over! Play dead! .... uh...oh....

I'm so glad I didn't have a mouth full of something. :roflmao:

The place where I got my pedicure the other day had an aquarium. The water was so nasty cloudy that I could hardly see the fish. :dead:

Koi - the other white meat.

I know I'm about to open a can of worms:



I guess I'll just eat worms. :huggy:

It's not the same, but if they were kept in a pond like they're supposed to it would be different. They do come to their owners, like any other pet.

I'm not saying I'm a vegetarian/activist or anything like that, but Koi are meant to be pets. Pets are meant to be treated fairly, and there are laws in place to make sure that they are.
So were the owners stepping on them? :confused:

Each person supposed to have certain amount of living space too. So who do I call if I know of families living in a cramp house/apartment to save for their child's education, so they don't end up in welfare? Is that a violation too?

I do eat at Bon Buffet and I don't sense too much stress for the Koi who swims leisurely in the tank waiting to be fed. Now the owners will be force to either spend a lot of money for a new fish tank or just go ahead and include the Koi in their menu. Please be realistic and don't start a welfare program for the fish.

No, I try to avoid the Bon Buffet.

Is the tank at least clean? Because you'd think that would gross out the diners to have this nasty fish tank sitting where they're trying to eat.

Oh...wait...what was I thinking? They're at the Bon Buffet - I don't think a grody fish tank will bother them.

I know Bon Buffet's gross. Who's really going to care if they go out of business because they're treating animals poorly? I know I won't. It's not like there aren't plenty of other, better, Chinese restaurants in town. As for people needing living space and having issues you might consider similar, they can do something about it, but animals can't.

Kill me for caring.

I know Bon Buffet's gross. Who's really going to care if they go out of business because they're treating animals poorly? I know I won't. It's not like there aren't plenty of other, better, Chinese restaurants in town. As for people needing living space and having issues you might consider similar, they can do something about it, but animals can't.

Kill me for caring.
You may be forcing them to handle it this way:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_35644,00.html

I know I am razzing you, just felt silly. I have to give you a thumbs up for caring though. :huggy:

BTW, the last White Cloud fish died on Friday the 13th. :ohwell:

Is this one of the fish you rescued from me?

So I did a little more research...

You don't eat koi. Apparently they don't taste too good, and it would be a huge financial mistake. They're one of the most expensive collector's fish in the world. They can live for 30-40 years, and have been known to grow as old as 100. If someone were to eat one, they ought to expect to pay a pretty penny. I don't suspect the people that eat at Bon Buffet have that sort of money.

If anything, Bon Buffet could sell their fish for a very good amount of money, and maybe actually clean the place up. It's obviously way past due to be remodeled.

*edit: not to mention it wouldn't be very safe to eat a fish that's been kept in a tank, considering the chemicals that are used to keep the water at the right pH, etc.

I know Bon Buffet's gross. Who's really going to care if they go out of business because they're treating animals poorly? I know I won't. It's not like there aren't plenty of other, better, Chinese restaurants in town. As for people needing living space and having issues you might consider similar, they can do something about it, but animals can't.

Kill me for caring.

Have you ever seen a real Koi pond???? Those buggers are packed in there as tight as sardines and definitely do not have the 240 gallons of water each that you claim they should have.... Every other family in Hawaii should be fined by your logic.

Carp will continue to grow as long as they are fed and there is room to grow.

Be real....

It's not the same, but if they were kept in a pond like they're supposed to it would be different. They do come to their owners, like any other pet.
I think you'll find the practice of maintaining Koi was intended to have a readily available food source that was also somewhat decorative.

Since the fish have grown to big for the tank, sicing Animal Control on them will probably leave the owners with their only option being to kill the fish.

C'mon forumites!!! I'm going out this weekend to save the fish from the dirty Potomac and Patuxent!! You know, the rivers where you can't see your feet in 12" of water.

The fish deserve better than that!! Poor things. Prolly end up on Jameos plate and then what?

:animalhouseroar: Who's with me ..... OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Yup. Not sure what happened w/ the last one. Totally healthy looking and eating flakes when I left for work at 0630. Went to feed them dinner around 1830 hours and he was in two pieces on the bottom of the tank. Wasn't even enough left to flush and my Black Skirt Tetra was munching on his bottom half when I was trying to get the pieces out of the tank. :twitch:

Well, I'd say he lived a pretty long life for a tiny little fish. :yay:

Have you ever seen a real Koi pond???? Those buggers are packed in there as tight as sardines and definitely do not have the 240 gallons of water each that you claim they should have.... Every other family in Hawaii should be fined by your logic.

Carp will continue to grow as long as they are fed and there is room to grow.

Be real....

here's the source of my "claim:" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi#Keeping_koi

Yes, I have seen a real koi pond. Do some research before you post.

To get you started, here's the source of my "claim:" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi#Keeping_koi


In a perfect world....like the zoo, maybe.

Even when they do have all the space that's mentioned, they still all congregate at the food end of the pond.

I think you'll find the practice of maintaining Koi was intended to have a readily available food source that was also somewhat decorative.

Since the fish have grown to big for the tank, sicing Animal Control on them will probably leave the owners with their only option being to kill the fish.

In this case though, the fish are definitely not maintained as a food source, and are much more of a decoration. These fish can't be eaten because of the chemicals in the water they've lived in for so long. A seriously good chunk of money could be made by the restaurant if they would just sell them to someone who collects fish, and has the time, funds, and desire to take care of them. I truly don't believe that killing the fish is the only option.

here's the source of my "claim:" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi#Keeping_koi
See the credibility Wiki has.... :whistle:

The common carp is a hardy fish, and koi retain that durability. Koi must be kept in a 2-4 gallon container per fish. This means two koi would require 4-8 gallons of space.

In a perfect world....like the zoo, maybe.

Even when they do have all the space that's mentioned, they still all congregate at the food end of the pond.

It's not a perfect world. But we can try and help fix the things that aren't.

And even at a zoo where they would have all that space, and do congregate together, they have the option to roam. There must be a reason behind them needing that space, and I'm trying my best to find it...

I saw some koi in the fish tanks at Wal Mart the other day for four dollars. :lol:

It's not a perfect world. But we can try and help fix the things that aren't.

And even at a zoo where they would have all that space, and do congregate together, they have the option to roam. There must be a reason behind them needing that space, and I'm trying my best to find it...


The fish are fine. I asked about them living in the tiny little tank years ago, when they first opened. They take them out, and rotate them with other koi that they have. I didn't ask where they keep them when they're not in the tank in the restaurant.

In this case though, the fish are definitely not maintained as a food source, and are much more of a decoration. These fish can't be eaten because of the chemicals in the water they've lived in for so long.
What chemicals? Carp can live in a sewer.
Unless you're running a saltwater tank or have expensive tropicals there isn't much need for testing the water and maintaining Ph balances.

*deleted*

that was unnecessary of me.

The fish are fine. I asked about them living in the tiny little tank years ago, when they first opened. They take them out, and rotate them with other koi that they have. I didn't ask where they keep them when they're not in the tank in the restaurant.

Why couldn't I get this answer at the beginning? That's all I wanted. I feel like such a whiny ##### now.

I don't know what you are talking about but here is a robot carp with pancakes on its head.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y124/dpete2q/robocarp.jpg

Why couldn't I get this answer at the beginning? That's all I wanted.

What fun would that have been?

Besides, I forgot.

Check this out. #10 http://www.vcnet.com/koi_net/asahi1.html

[QUOTE=luckystar]It's not a perfect world. But we can try and help fix the things that aren't.

Bless your caring heart, you should maybe volunteer to Habitat for Humanity and help fix the less than perfect homes of those less fortunate people, or lobby for more desirable condition for the aged at less than perfect nursing homes cared for by less than qualified staff.

Bring on the bad karma.

The only time I ever really come on here is when I need help, input, or something similar. All I ever get is bashed, no matter the topic, or my intentions. This forum really says a lot about the Southern Maryland community.
Which catagory does "I called the cops because I think some goldfish are being mistreated" come under?

Bring on the bad karma.

The only time I ever really come on here is when I need help, input, or something similar. All I ever get is bashed, no matter the topic, or my intentions. This forum really says a lot about the Southern Maryland community.
Here's the strawberry.... you realized that we represent everyone in the entire southern, MD area. :yay:

Hunney, You're worried about cold blooded fish. Let it go.

What's next? A march to prevent the steaming of live crabs, oysters,clams and lobsters?

Bring on the bad karma.

The only time I ever really come on here is when I need help, input, or something similar. All I ever get is bashed, no matter the topic, or my intentions. This forum really says a lot about the Southern Maryland community.

Oh, stop. Your karma has increased since you started this thread. No one is bashing you. We're just having fun.

I feel like such a whiny ##### now.
Allll :huggy:

Go teach a fish some tricks - that'll cheer you up :smile:

I feel like such a whiny ##### now.

You have to get that all out of your system before you can become a republican.

You have to get that all out of your system before you can become a republican.
:killingme :love:

Has anyone ever called Animal Control about the conditions the Koi fish at Bon Buffet are living in?

Today I went in for what may be the last time. I always figured something would be done about their environment considering the amount of people that eat at the restaurant. It's been quite a while since I've eaten there, and the fish are much bigger than they were since the last time I was in there, and still in what looks like a 55 gallon tank. Koi fish require 240 gallons of water each: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi#Keeping_koi

The fish are as large as a foot, if not more. They have difficulty turning around, and often just sit around at the bottom of the tank. They deserve better than that.

I called Animal Control today. I was told that they would send someone down there, I'm going to check back with them in a few days to make sure something was done. If not... I don't know where else to turn. I know they're just fish, but they're still living things. A Koi can be trained as easily as a cat or a dog. Just thought I'd say something, because I've never heard much about it.

My husband and I wondered the same thing over a year ago when we went there. I just assumed that I didn't know what I was talking about and that they were ok (although it seems ridiculous to think that tank is anywhere NEAR the right size). When we lived in Hawaii, they had giant koi ponds all over....they definitely weren't in tiny tanks.

Have you ever seen a real Koi pond???? Those buggers are packed in there as tight as sardines and definitely do not have the 240 gallons of water each that you claim they should have.... Every other family in Hawaii should be fined by your logic.

Carp will continue to grow as long as they are fed and there is room to grow.

Be real....


:lmao: I just read your post after mine about Hawaii.

Here's the strawberry.... you realized that we represent everyone in the entire southern, MD area. :yay:

Hunney, You're worried about cold blooded fish. Let it go.

What's next? A march to prevent the steaming of live crabs, oysters,clams and lobsters?



It is kinda rude and inhumane to set a baited pot in the water , catch the poor unsuspecting crabs and then you take them home, the home they never had and always longed for, then just when they get comfortable and start trusting again, BAM!!!!!!, into scalding hot water for your carniverous eating pleasure. I say lets march on DC to stop theis madness. Save the crabs.

It is kinda rude and inhumane to set a baited pot in the water , catch the poor unsuspecting crabs and then you take them home, the home they never had and always longed for, then just when they get comfortable and start trusting again, BAM!!!!!!, into scalding hot water for your carniverous eating pleasure. I say lets march on DC to stop theis madness. Save the crabs.

Nah, its even better when you take the lid off the pot midway through and see them ripping eachother apart limb from limb as they try frantically to get away from their inevitable slow painful death.

:howdy:

Lobsters are more fun. When the water in their bodies steams, it sounds like they're screaming

I "saved" 3 Croakers from the Bay yesterday...they tasted good too. :yum:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Koi-Large_W0QQitemZ300129044568QQihZ020QQcategoryZ66795QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


:yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes:

I "saved" 3 Croakers from the Bay yesterday...they tasted good too. :yum:


Well then, as long as we are all trying to help and doing our best. :lmao: