Outrage As ‘Animal Rights Activist’ Throws Restaurant’s Pet Lobster Into Harbor, Only For It To Die From Cold Shock Moments Later

Shocking CCTV footage has captured the moment a self-described animal rights activist stormed into a seaside restaurant and hurled a live lobster into the harbor, in a misguided bid to “set it free.”

The incident unfolded at Catch at the Old Fish Market in Weymouth, Dorset,, where 47-year-old Emma Smart barged inside before seizing the crustacean from a warm display tank used for educational purposes.

Video shows Smart grabbing the animal and leaving the premises before throwing it into the cold waters outside, apparently believing she was rescuing it from being eaten.

But the act had tragic consequences.

Experts say the sudden temperature shock from the warm tank to the much colder harbor water would likely have killed the crayfish almost instantly. Even more heartbreakingly, its tank companion reportedly died shortly afterward, believed to be from stress following the incident.

Smart later admitted to criminal damage in court, with the case drawing sharp criticism over what many have described as reckless and uninformed activism.

Despite the dramatic nature of the case, charges of theft, assault, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal were dropped. She instead received an eight-month conditional discharge along with a three-year restraining order.

The case has sparked fierce debate online, with critics accusing the activist of doing more harm than good, while others say it highlights the dangers of acting on impulse without fully understanding the consequences.

The footage, now widely circulated, shows a moment intended as an aShocking CCTV footage has captured the moment a self-described animal rights activist stormed into a seaside restaurant and hurled a live crayfish into the harbor, in a misguided bid to “set it free.”

The incident unfolded at Catch, where 47-year-old Emma Smart barged inside before seizing the crustacean from a warm display tank used for educational purposes.

Video shows Smart grabbing the animal and leaving the premises before throwing it into the cold waters outside, apparently believing she was rescuing it from being eaten.

But the act had tragic consequences.

Experts say the sudden temperature shock from the warm tank to the much colder harbor water would likely have killed the lobster almost instantly. Even more heartbreakingly, its tank companion reportedly died shortly afterward, believed to be from stress following the incident.

Smart later admitted to criminal damage in court, with the case drawing sharp criticism over what many have described as reckless and uninformed activism.

Despite the dramatic nature of the case, charges of theft, assault, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal were dropped. She instead received an eight-month conditional discharge along with a three-year restraining order.

The case has sparked fierce debate online, with critics accusing the activist of doing more harm than good, while others say it highlights the dangers of acting on impulse without fully understanding the consequences.

The footage, now widely circulated, shows a moment intended as an act of liberation turning into a fatal mistake, raising uncomfortable questions about where activism ends and responsibility begins.ct of liberation turning into a fatal mistake, raising uncomfortable questions about where activism ends and responsibility begins.