A council has scrapped a children’s snail race after animal rights activists claimed it was cruel. The move has left locals in shock, with one concluding that the “world’s gone mad”.
The Electronic Snail Racing Board demonstrations, which see members of the public find a snail and transport it to Nottingham Central Library, was set to take place on Wednesday (June 10). However, it was axed after the Nottingham Animal Coalition, and other campaign groups, dubbed it “unnecessary”. The event, known as The Slowest Show on Earth, was set to be part of a “green week” to celebrate action against climate change.
As reported by The Sun, officials cancelled the event over complaints that even picking up a snail could harm them. Locals have reacted to the news online, with many left shocked.
One said: “World’s gone mad.”
A second added: “Getting children to engage with nature is a positive.”
A third on X wrote: “Probably the most harmless activity a council has ever devised. Cancelled.
“The council didn’t push back. Didn’t explain the safeguards. Didn’t suggest the complaining party go and browse a book instead. Just apologised and scrapped it.”
Meanwhile, Alex Patterson, leader of the Nottingham Animal Coalition, said the event had not considered the welfare of the snails. He said an injury can be caused by picking them up.
He said: “It ultimately treats them as objects for human fascination and entertainment and not as what they are, which is individuals with their own wants and interests. If you pick them up, at best you’re stressing them out, at worst you’re causing them physical injury.”
Nottingham City Council has apologised to those impact by the decision.
A spokesperson said: “While the demonstrations were intended as a light-hearted and educational activity, we recognise some members of the community have expressed genuine concerns about the snails involved.”