Imagine being torn from your home, kept alive and terrified, only to be eaten while still conscious. That’s the brutal reality for octopuses and fish served live in certain New York restaurants.

New York has long been seen as a leader in compassion and progress. But right now, it’s still legal in our state to serve live animals—like octopuses and fish—on a plate. These creatures, especially octopuses, are highly intelligent, capable of feeling pain, and experience extreme suffering when they’re sliced, chewed, or dismembered while still alive.

This isn't just unsettling—it's inhumane.

Other countries and cities have already banned the serving of live animals due to animal cruelty concerns. New York has the chance to lead in the U.S. by doing the same. A new bill (S.8456), introduced by Senator John Liu, would finally make it illegal to serve live octopus and fish in restaurants across the state.

We know these animals suffer. We know it’s wrong. And now we have the power to help end this cruelty.

We are calling on the New York State Legislature to pass S.8456 and end this barbaric practice once and for all. No creature deserves to be eaten alive for the sake of novelty or entertainment. Let’s show the world that New York stands for compassion, science, and dignity—for all living beings.

Sign this petition to demand that New York protect sentient marine animals from needless cruelty. It’s time to take them off the plate—alive.