Although the UK Animal Welfare Act 2006 goes some way towards protecting vertebrates from cruelty, it does not protect non-vertebrates like lobsters and crabs. These animals have sophisticated nervous systems with many similarities to those of humans. At present, lobsters and crabs are often killed by being boiled alive or by being cut up alive. They therefore suffer dreadful pain. While being boiled alive lobsters and crabs frantically thrash around, tear at their own bodies with their claws and throw off their limbs. One mark of a civilized society is how it treats the animals under its control. The way lobsters, crabs and other non-vertebrates are treated in Britain and elsewhere puts us all to shame. Please sign this petition to extend the protection of the Act to these animals and stop this cruelty now. Please let others know about this petition.
A useful website to refer to is:
http://www.shellfishnetwork.org.uk/.
If you wish to write to your MP contact via : http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/
Or lobby Neil Parish MP, the Chair of the Parliamentary Animal Welfare Group (via same address)
Follow campaign's progress on Twitter: search term: Animalreform
