Frogs in the supermarket

[Tindomul]

I don't know where to put this. I went to a local Chinese supermarket and was astounded at what I saw. It was bad enough they had a million fish and crabs all bunched up into little aquariums, but they also had 50 or more soft shelled turtles in a little box, about 1 foot wide, 1 foot deep and 2 feet tall. In a similar yet smaller box, they had frogs, looked like american green frogs, though I really don't know.
Is this legal? Should I report this?
And I can tell you I was the only one there who seemed to be angered by the situation.
I took these pics. First is the pic of the frogs, and the second is the pic of the supermarket located on Queens Blvd, NYC. These pictures were taken on Sunday February 2, 2008.

[Jo Ann]

eewww... ...It sure doesnt seem right...

[Lagoon]

Ooh this really bothers me, having tree frogs an all
Tindo - I don't know what the laws down there are but this would not be acceptable nor legal down this way for sanitary resaons.

Do what you think is right!
Oh and here's alil something from 1 of my frogs, heehee!

[Paul]

Not surprised about the turtles ... they are considered a delicacy and there is the belief that eating turtle meat increases your own lifespan. This latter has contributed to the decimation of turtle populations world wide as they are sold on the asia market.

Didn't realize they sold frogs like that. Wonder if it is just for the legs or if they eat more of the frog than that. Surprised the frogs don't leapout.

Don't know anything about the 'legality' issue though.

[christina waines]

That is too gross for me. I can't see it being legal either way to easy for salmonella to be spread

[kavanaru]

well, in europe it is not legal at all!!

and taking into account the international laws protectings turtles... I don't think it is legal in the USA either!! I would give a call to the authorities...

[Ross]

I've shopped at Great Wall in N.J. before and it's gross! Very dirty, stinks like it did in Viet Nam, and don't forget these things are food, not pets.

[camille1585]

Chinese markets/supermarkets are so cruel and inhumane! I love animals so I find it just sickening how they treat them.
The worst is, I think there are no national laws against this. It depends if individual states have it in their animal cruelty laws. Animal activists have been battling for years, no no avail, despite the health concerns.

There was a trial 10 years ago about the treatment of turtles frogs and others, and the animal activists did not win because of a very stupid judge.
Here is his ruling.
"Superior Court judge Carlos T. Bea, who ruled that people have the right to kill animals for food. He quoted verses from the Bible that said man has dominion over “every living thing that moveth upon the earth” to support his decision. Moreover, Bea doubted whether animals even feel pain. “Absent such evidence of [a pain-sensing constitution], to find pain in the animal would be to indulge in anthropomorphic speculation, which is hardly a sufficient basis for the application of criminal statutes,” he wrote."

enotes- animal rights article

I find this appaling and disgusting.

[kavanaru]

just my without aiming to attack or condemn or defend anyone...

Keep in mind that other cultures has other ways of seeing things... Indians find disgusting that some people eat champignons or cheese, even worst that they eat cows... some europeans think it is disgusting that some southamerican eat guinea pigs, the same way some southamerican think it is disgusting that some european eat snails... we can have a very long list of things which are seen as good in one culture but bad in others... however the point is to try to avoid pejorative comments (especially here, as we also has members from different cultures, including asians - as it is the topic of this thread!) right?

let's stay objective and keep our comments on range of the thread... the question was whether it is legal or not to sell turtles, Frogs and Co in that USAmerican supermarket! I do not agree that these animals are kept and sold under those conditions, the same way I do not agree that turtles are produced per millions and sold in pet stores... I think selling them like that is not legal in the USA (for whatever reason!) So, if someone has a better knowledge of the laws concerning this issue, please write it down here... but please, let's keep in mind that a broad range of people with different cultural backgrounds are also reading this thread!

as i said, it was just my

Thanks for your understanding!

[Tindomul]

Thanks all for the help. Fine statements Ramon. However, I really don't think that the sale of amphibians and reptiles as food items should be legal considering how threatened and vitally important to the ecosystem/food chain they are. The only animal I can see it being ok to do this is the bullfrog, but they really need to be prepackaged, not made to suffer like this. The fish and crabs etc too. I am going to look at the ASPCA website and figure out what to do. Thanks.
Camille, I cannot believe that a man like that made it to judge. My parents were right, I should have been a lawyer.