Two UK men have been fined for eating raw squirrel in what they say was an anti-vegan protest.
Deonisy Khlebnikov and Gatis Lagzdins ate the fur-covered animals in front of market-goers and children at the Soho Vegan Food Market on March 30.
They were repeatedly asked to stop after the children began to cry. Both men refused.
On Monday they were found guilty of disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, reports The Telegraph.
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Khlebnikov, 22 was fined £200 (NZ$371) and Lagzdins, 29 was fined £400 (NZ$742). The pair was also made to pay court costs and a surcharge.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Natalie Clines said the pair claimed they were against veganism, reports The Telegraph.
"[They said] they were raising awareness about the dangers of not eating meat when they publically consumed raw squirrels," Clines said in court on Monday.
Eating raw game meat carries the risk of E.coli, salmonella and trichinellosis. It also carries a small risk of contracting Mad Cow Disease, reports LiveScience.
"Their pre-meditated actions caused significant distress to members of the public, including young children," said Clines.
"'By continuing with their disgusting and unnecessary behaviour despite requests to stop ...the prosecution was able to demonstrate they had planned and intended to cause distress to the public."
Newshub.
