SPCA's 'crab boil' questioned by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

The Prince Rupert SPCA has found itself in hot water over a proposed fund-raising event that would involve boiling live crabs.
A group of SPCA volunteers has organized a crab cookoff on Aug. 27 in Prince Rupert's Mariners' Park. For $10, visitors may eat their crab at the park or have it cooked to take home.
The crabs are being donated by the Crabbers Association of Prince Rupert.
But the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is asking animal lovers around the world to sign a petition protesting the event, saying it's wrong for an animal-welfare organization to kill one kind of animal to help another.
"How incredibly bizarre," society founder Paul Wntson said in an e-mail to The Vancouver Sun.

"Here we have an organization supposedly dedicated to prevent¬ing cruelty actually inflicting cruelty to an animal to raise money to supposedly prevent cruelty to animals."
The petition, which is being circulated by e-mail, reads: "The Society for the Prevention of Cru¬elty to Animals [Prince Rupert Branch] is planning a feast of live crab cooked to eat or take home.
"This crab boil is being held to raise money for the prevention of cruelty to animals. How ironic is that?
"We the undersigned are protesting this event and demand that [B.C. SPCA communications manager] Ms. Lorie Chortyk immediately cancel the proposed Crab Boil or resign from her position at the SPCA."

Chortyk said it is up to the branch to cancel or continue with the event.
Nina Biskup, the animal-care attendant at the Prince Rupert shelter, said she understands Watson's concerns, and that if it were up to her, the event would be cancelled. "I don't eat crab," she said. "I know a lot of people are upset about it. If it's a concern, it's upsetting to me too because I don't want people to think we're hurting animals because we're definitely not."
Asked if the SPCA would consider cancelling it, Biskup replied: "If that's what it takes. I'm for cancelling it."
Prince Rupert SPCA branch manager Helen Doucette was not available for comment.
Nicholas Read, Vancouver Sun