PETA hopes to build memorial where lobsters died in Maine crash

BRUNSWICK, Maine (WGME) - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals want to build a 5-foot tombstone where lobsters may have died after a crash on Route 1 in Brunswick, Maine, last week.

According to the Brunswick Police Department several of the crustaceans that a Cozy Harbor Seafood truck was carrying got crushed as a result of the rollover.

"It was something I've never seen before," said Detective William Moir of the Brunswick Police Department. "Some lobsters were loose on the ground from being spilled over so we went to work to save the ones we could."

The organization sent a letter to the Maine Department of Transportation asking if it could create the roadside memorial where the lobsters lost their lives.

"Countless sensitive crustaceans experienced an agonizing death when this truck rolled over and their bodies came crashing down onto the highway," PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said.

"PETA hopes to pay tribute to these individuals who didn't want to die with a memorial urging people to help prevent future suffering by keeping lobsters and all other animals off their plates."

Some Mainers say lobster's belong on their dinner table and they don't agree with a memorial.

"It just seems a little extreme to me," said Timothy Smith. "I am all for animal rights but I just don't understand putting up a tombstone for some lobsters I'm sorry, haha."

"I'm not cruel to animals but that goes way to far and a monument on the highway? We don't even put monuments up for people who die, added Janie Roy. "What's the difference between them falling on the road and dying or being thrown in boil hot water and we eat them every single day either way they're dead lobsters."

WGME reached out to the Maine DOT for a comment in regards to PETA's request, WGME has not heard back.