A controversial new arcade game that treats live crayfish as if they were stuffed toys has hit Auckland pubs, angering local patrons and animal activists.
Coined Catcha Cray, the game encourages punters to pay $3 to try to catch a live crayfish using a metal-hooked device usually reserved for grabbing stuffed toys. Successful participants can either have the animal killed and cooked by the establishment or take the cray home live in a plastic bag.
National animal advocacy organisation SAFE has slammed the Catcha Cray machines, calling them shocking and cruel. The group’s initial investigation found five Auckland bars or pubs with the games, however two have since removed them after complaints.
“These machines subject live crayfish to undue stress, torment and injury. The catching and handling process can result in limbs being torn off or damaged. A caught crayfish amongst a crowd of drunken revellers is also of serious concern as they are at great risk of abuse,” says SAFE campaign officer Mandy Carter.
SAFE is delighted the Naval and Family and Kingslander establishments have removed the games, and that the RNZSPCA has corrected their position after earlier media reports stated the Auckland SPCA was not opposed to the game.
“SAFE commends the Naval and Family and Kingslander for taking the concerns of their patrons seriously. It is great that the RNZSPCA has added their weight to this campaign given that the game’s manufacturers were boasting they had SPCA approval,” says Ms Carter.
SAFE continues to put pressure on the remaining pubs and bars to remove their Catcha Cray machines.
“No pub can afford to loose customers over a silly game and these needlessly cruel machines seem to be more trouble than they are worth.”
For more information contract Mandy Carter, SAFE campaign officer, on 09 361 5646 or 021 054 2692 or visit http://safe.org.nz/Campaigns/Stop-the-Catcha-Cray/