By David Farrier
Animal rights group SAFE has staged a protest outside a popular Auckland inner-city pub, because of a game it offers patrons.
For $3, punters can have a go at catching a live crayfish using a toy crane.
Publicity around the Catch-A-Cray machines has seen many bars get rid of them, but The Albion is sticking with it.
“These machines will catch them 30 times before they’re finally dragged out of the machine, that’s causing them stress,” says SAFE campaign officer Mandy Carter.
Since they were introduced last year, seven bars have chosen to get rid of the machines. The Albion is one of 15 bars across the country who have chosen to keep them.
“Does a crayfish have feelings? Does a crayfish have a brain? It’s a crustacean,” says Catch-A-Cray user Glen Wiseman.
Marine biologist Peter Crabb says it is a matter of principle.
“It sends a bad message to people, that it’s okay to do that to marine life.”
The man behind Catch-A-Cray, Patrick Chandulal, disagrees and says allegations by SAFE that crayfish are tormented and lose legs are laughable.
“There is no cruelty to the crayfish, there is no mistreatment of the crayfish – I have support from leading crustacean experts to back that up.”
The SPCA will make a decision this week about whether there is evidence of animal cruelty, and whether to campaign for the cray game to be banned.
3 News