Sea Dogs: PETA Overstated Role In Switch From Linda Bean's Company To New Lobster Supplier

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals exaggerated its role in the Portland Sea Dogs’ decision to stop selling Linda Bean lobster rolls, according to officials from the team and the food company.

PETA issued a statement Monday that suggested the baseball team’s decision to switch lobster suppliers at Hadlock Field was linked to the organization’s persuasiveness in pushing its allegations that Bean’s lobster company uses “crude and cruel” methods at its Rockland processing plant. But the Sea Dogs said Tuesday that their decision was based on “business reasons, not in response to pressure from PETA.”

David Byer, the PETA spokesman who put out Monday’s statement, said the team never told PETA that it was switching suppliers because of the group’s concerns, but he “put two and two together” in suggesting that PETA played a major role in the Sea Dogs’ decision. He said PETA had been in touch with Sea Dogs officials since July, urging the team to stop using lobster supplied by Bean’s company in the rolls sold at its concession stands.

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