spcaLA Condemns Lobster Claw Game at the Los Angeles County Fair

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) released a statement on Wednesday to condemn the "The Lobster Claw" game at the Los Angeles County Fair and urges the Los Angeles County Fair Association to "remove the cruel game that encourages people to claw and trap their lobster before it is cooked."

"An exhibit like this conveys a message to adults and children alike that it is okay to torment food animals before they are eaten, and, in fact, that it is okay to torment animals for amusement and entertainment," said spcaLA President, Madeline Bernstein. "Tolerating and participating in 'casual cruelty' and behavior that desensitizes us all to the plight of other living things is the fastest way to kill our sense of compassion and empathy."

The SPCA reports that in 2008, a similar game appeared in a local restaurant but was removed after public outcry.

spcaLA is encouraging LA County Fair visitors to not patronize this vendor and is calling upon the LA County Fair Association to intervene.

The San Fernando Valley Sun/El Sol spoke with a spokeswoman for the fair who said she was unaware of the SPCA's concerns and would get back to us but she did not call by press time.