A 17lb lobster was saved from the cooking pot when he was bought by a local man and then released back out at sea.
The lobster — nicknamed Lucky Larry — quickly become popular with local children at The Dock Restaurant in Waterford, Connecticut. In fact the restaurant manager, Kristen Eighme, has scratches on her arms from handling him to show the curious youngsters who came to take a look.
Don MacKenzie, who works at a local marina, heard about the lobster — and when word got around that someone had actually reserved him for dinner, he decided that he should be saved.
MacKenzie estimated that judging by Larry's size, he could be between 80 and 100 years old.
"This lobster has seen World War I, World War II, seen the landing on the moon and the Red Sox win the World Series, he's made it this far in life," he told The Day. "He deserves to live."
"There was a price on the guy, but I won't say how much it was. Let's just say that it's the most expensive lobster I never ate."
A group of children chanted 'Let Larry Live,' as MacKenzie boarded the boat, along with colleague Steve Wilson, on the trip out to release the lobster. The Niantic River Bridge operator even sounded the lift bridge's siren as the boat headed out to sea.
He was released in Long Island Sound in an area where it's impossible for draggers to drop their nets. The exact location of the release point hasn't been disclosed.
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