Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

SPCA crackdown on claw machine to catch crayfish

Updated at 4:06 pm on 10 February 2010

The SPCA is cracking down on live crayfish catching machines in bars, saying it causes unnecessary pain and distress.

The Catcha-Cray arcade-style machines allow people to use a mechanical claw to capture crayfish from a water tank.

The animal welfare society has shut down three machines in Auckland by taping over the coin slot.

Plans are in place to ban seven machines in bars in Rotorua, Tauranga, Hamilton and Te Kuiti.

Auckland SPCA executive director Bob Kerridge says it needs to be determined who own the crayfish, but for the moment they are safe in the tanks.

Mr Kerridge says it decided to take steps to prevent further trauma being inflicted on the animals.

The manufacturers of the Catcha-Cray machines say the SPCA's change of stance is disappointing, as it initially approved the machines for use.

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