An animal activist has admitted in court that she removed a lobster from a restaurant tank and threw it into a harbor in what she described as a rescue attempt.
According to PEOPLE, Emma Smart confessed to causing criminal damage after taking a lobster from The Catch at the Old Fish Market on April 10. The restaurant’s owner and manager, Anthony Cooper, told authorities that the establishment kept two lobsters — named Reggie and Ronnie — in a tank near the front of the restaurant for nearly two and a half years.
He said the lobsters were also used for educational purposes when children visited.
Lobster Reportedly Died After Being Released
Court records state that Smart entered the restaurant, reached into the tank, and grabbed one of the lobsters, believing it would later be cooked. She then threw the lobster into a nearby harbor. Authorities believe the lobster died from exposure to colder water. The animal had reportedly become accustomed to the restaurant tank’s controlled, warmer environment.
The second lobster allegedly died shortly after the incident, with reports suggesting stress and isolation as possible contributing factors.
Court Issues Restraining Order
Smart appeared in court and admitted to the charge of criminal damage. She received a three-year restraining order prohibiting her from going near the restaurant.
The case has drawn attention due to the unusual circumstances — an act intended as a rescue that resulted in the loss of two animals. For the restaurant owner, the lobsters were long-term fixtures and part of the establishment’s identity.