Charity criticised over Bridlington posters comparing dogs and lobsters

The billboard adverts in Bridlington, by animal rights charity Peta, show a dog's head on the body of a lobster

An animal rights charity has been criticised for its posters in a seaside town claiming eating shellfish is as bad as eating a pet dog.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) billboard adverts in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, show a dog's head on the body of a lobster.

The posters urge people to "go vegan" and asks: "If you wouldn't eat your dog, why eat lobster?"

Local fisherman said the posters were nothing more than a publicity stunt.

Bridlington Harbour is renowned for its shellfish industry and Sascha Camilli, from Peta, said the posters sent out "a strong message" to people in the town.

"We invite everyone to reflect on the fact there really are no substantial differences when it comes to sentience and feeling pain between the dogs we share our homes with and the lobsters on our plates," she said.

Jo Ackers, from the Independent Shellfisherman's Cooperative, said the posters would not have the desired effect

But Jo Ackers, company secretary at the Independent Shellfisherman's Cooperative in Bridlington, said the adverts left her and others with a "cross between amusement and annoyance".

"It's like they have deliberately picked on the industry - but it looks a bit silly," she said.

"They have used an American lobster, which is not native to this country, and it's not really going to affect our industry."

Ms Ackers said everyone was entitled to their opinion, however she added: "I don't think it is going to get people who eat meat of fish to go vegan.

"It has been designed obviously to be an attack, but in essence it isn't - it's a poster."

Science had "proved many times that lobsters feel pain", according to the Peta charity

The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, which recognises animal sentience - the capacity of animals to have feelings, including pain and suffering - was extended in 2021 to recognise lobsters, octopus and crabs.

Ms Ackers said the shellfish industry already had very high standards of welfare and was in the process of developing codes of practice to ensure the animals suffered no distress.

According to Peta, more and more people were turning to plant-based meals because of the way animals suffered and the impact farming had on the environment.

Ms Camilli, from the organisation, said: "Obviously, we don't expect any big changes to happen overnight, but we are definitely calling on people to be vegan.

"Once you realise just how much these animals suffer, this is really the logical next step."