Dog Fur is Showing Up on Big Labels

TribalRats · 02-10-2007, 06:23 PM

Dog Fur is Showing Up on Big Labels
By Christine Moers

That "faux fur" collar on your favorite jacket may actually be dog fur, taken from raccoon dogs, skinned alive, The Humane Society (HSUS) said in a statement released on Wednesday.

The current law has a massive loophole, which allows clothing trimmed with $150 worth of fur to be sold without a label. Animal fur is typically sheared and dyed in such a way to appear "faux," which could lead you to grab that jacket off the rack without knowing you are purchasing real animal fur, and quite possibly dog fur.

The particular fur in question comes from raccoon dogs, a nocturnal resident of Asian and northern European forests.

Lawmakers have had enough. Reps. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Michael Ferguson (R-N.J.) re-introduced federal legislation on February 7 to protect American consumers and animals from the fur trade.

It is illegal to use dog and cat fur in the United States. This legislation requires labeling on every fur garment. It would also ban the import and sale of raccoon dog fur.

"The raccoon dog and domestic dogs are being killed in inhumane ways for the U.S. trade," Moran told FOX News.

The HSUS has graphic video available on their web site, showing the horrific treatment of the raccoon dogs, as their heads are slammed into the ground and many are skinned alive.

The ongoing investigation by the HSUS has uncovered raccoon dog fur on some of the biggest names in fashion.

The report shows dog fur sold online as "faux" by Bluefly.com, Nordstroms and Tommy Hilfiger.

Some fur on coats labeled "raccoon," but which are actually raccoon dog, were being sold online by Loehman's (via Smartbargains.com), Dillard's, and Neiman Marcus. Berdorf Goodman and Footlocker, also selling the garments, labeled them as "rabbit."

There were unlabeled or misidentified raccoon dog fur on jackets sold by DKNY, Lord and Taylor, Ross, D.E.M.O., Rocawear, Macy's, Baby Phat, J.D. Penney and Burlington Coat Factory.

In an interview with FOX News correspondent, Molly Henneberg, Tommy Hilfiger said that it stands behind its previous statement, saying the company rarely uses fur. When real fur is used, it come from the U.S. and meets all laws and regulations, they said.

Macy's gave FOX News a company statement which said it has a standing policy against selling anything with dog or cat fur, and that any violation is "pursued vigorously" with suppliers. The inaccurately labeled products are "removed from our stores and online sites," said the statement.

***Cassiepeia*** · 02-10-2007, 06:57 PM

Oh good gods. I just looked up 'raccoon dogs' on google and found a page showing how these animals are prepared and then skinned alive. It makes me feel sick that anyone would do this to an animal for fashion (or any reason at all). In the very least they could have killed the animal before doing this to it.

How any company can, firstly, use this 'product' and secondly, sell it to unsuspecting buyers I just don't understand. It all makes me want to cry.

Cass.

***Swiftwind*** · 02-10-2007, 07:01 PM

That's just horrible!

I don't know why people continue to use fur these days.. it should not be seen as fashion. I remember when I was in Belgium a few years back my aunty wanted to look at a coat shop (fur coats, mind you). I was not at all impressed, but had to go along. Seeing all the different types of fur made me feel sick. Quite a lot of the fur came from endangered animals.

Once, at school, I was in my Business Studies class and we were having a debate about the use of fur for fashion. I was the ONLY one oposing it - that just shocked me a bit. I remember one girl said "Oh, once you use the fur you can just eat the meat". I said to her "So, you'd eat wolf meat?" she went completely quiet.

***Rivsky*** · 02-10-2007, 07:23 PM

I can't believe this is seriously happening - why is that so many people in the fashion industry think this is ok?

PawNclaws · 02-10-2007, 09:33 PM

I've read about this befor and have seen the pictures of what they do to these poor creatures. It's horrible and sick !!! I still can't believe anyone could wear any thing like that.

Pearlulm · 02-11-2007, 05:16 PM

Years ago (about 6) I worked in a major department store as a selling manager in the Men's Nautica clothing department. We got a coat in once that had a collar made out of dog. It was manufactered in China. I complained to our rep and put the coats in the back room. After a while they were marked down and then vendor returned because they weren't selling. If people stop buying them they will quit making them. I certainly wasn't going to sell them!

Dogsareme · 02-11-2007, 05:40 PM

Sick Sick people in this world

I don't get it!! If they want to use "dog fur" for something, I would be glad to send them the fur I brush off of Kaede everyday. If they don't mind sorting it and finding the ends they could use that. But why, WHY kill a dog for fur it sheds! In a life time you could get more fur off a dog alive then dead!! It's sick and not a fasion statement, PERIOD.

Edit: How can you tell in a store if the clothing is made of dog fur, or any other animal fur for that fact. I've never bought fur before, but I'm curious how to tell. I would sure let the department store managers get an earful if I can tell it's real fur.

***Swiftwind*** · 02-11-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogsareme

But why, WHY kill a dog for fur it sheds! In a life time you could get more fur off a dog alive then dead!! It's sick and not a fasion statement, PERIOD.

The fur TribalRats was referring to isn't actually from dogs, it's from Racoon Dogs (racoons that kind of look like they have a bit of a canine body). I still don't think it's right to kill ANY animal for its fur, though.

rmci · 02-12-2007, 08:27 AM

OMG! Dog fur clothes sound yucky.

I've joked about knitting a sweater from Baxter's fur when he blows his coat.

I wear leather so I guess I'm just as bad.
There's rabbit fur coats/trim, Mink (a type of weasel), alligator & ostrich boots, etc. Oh yeah! And chinchilla. Have you ever seen how cute chinchilla's are?

trainingrixie · 02-12-2007, 08:57 AM

People suck and are twisted in the head! RMCI, I don't hink leather is as bad as fur from animals like the ones you listed. I'm not sure how the leather industry works, but any means, but do they use the skin from the cows that are going to be butchered for eating purposes anyway? It'd make sense to do it that way, but that doesn't mean that's the way it happens. Anyway, It's just when the animal is killed SOLELY for the purpose of fashion that it is twisted and morbid and sickening. know what i mean?

TribalRats · 02-12-2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swiftwind

The fur TribalRats was referring to isn't actually from dogs, it's from Racoon Dogs (racoons that kind of look like they have a bit of a canine body). I still don't think it's right to kill ANY animal for its fur, though.

Actually the Raccoon Dog is a Dog not a Raccoon. Raccoon Dog

"Although the resemblance to a raccoon is startling, it is not closely related to a raccoon. As you can see by its family name "Canidae," Latin for "dog," this animal is definitely a dog."

rmci · 02-12-2007, 11:05 AM

If I happened to see a Raccoon Dog roaming around I would think "Hey, that's the biggest raccoon I've ever seen", not that it was a dog.

TribalRats · 02-12-2007, 11:19 AM

Yep me too however it is infact a dog.

***Swiftwind*** · 02-12-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalRats

Actually the Raccoon Dog is a Dog not a Raccoon. Raccoon Dog

"Although the resemblance to a raccoon is startling, it is not closely related to a raccoon. As you can see by its family name "Canidae," Latin for "dog," this animal is definitely a dog."

Oh wow!

I would have never guessed it was a dog.

Pearlulm · 02-12-2007, 02:31 PM

If it is a dog or a raccoon is beside the point. They should not be skinning ANY animal alive!

02-10-2007, 06:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
TribalRats Take Responsibility Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 3,327 Rep Power: 143	Dog Fur is Showing Up on Big Labels Dog Fur is Showing Up on Big Labels By Christine Moers That "faux fur" collar on your favorite jacket may actually be dog fur, taken from raccoon dogs, skinned alive, The Humane Society (HSUS) said in a statement released on Wednesday. The current law has a massive loophole, which allows clothing trimmed with $150 worth of fur to be sold without a label. Animal fur is typically sheared and dyed in such a way to appear "faux," which could lead you to grab that jacket off the rack without knowing you are purchasing real animal fur, and quite possibly dog fur. The particular fur in question comes from raccoon dogs, a nocturnal resident of Asian and northern European forests. Lawmakers have had enough. Reps. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Michael Ferguson (R-N.J.) re-introduced federal legislation on February 7 to protect American consumers and animals from the fur trade. It is illegal to use dog and cat fur in the United States. This legislation requires labeling on every fur garment. It would also ban the import and sale of raccoon dog fur. "The raccoon dog and domestic dogs are being killed in inhumane ways for the U.S. trade," Moran told FOX News. The HSUS has graphic video available on their web site, showing the horrific treatment of the raccoon dogs, as their heads are slammed into the ground and many are skinned alive. The ongoing investigation by the HSUS has uncovered raccoon dog fur on some of the biggest names in fashion. The report shows dog fur sold online as "faux" by Bluefly.com, Nordstroms and Tommy Hilfiger. Some fur on coats labeled "raccoon," but which are actually raccoon dog, were being sold online by Loehman's (via Smartbargains.com), Dillard's, and Neiman Marcus. Berdorf Goodman and Footlocker, also selling the garments, labeled them as "rabbit." There were unlabeled or misidentified raccoon dog fur on jackets sold by DKNY, Lord and Taylor, Ross, D.E.M.O., Rocawear, Macy's, Baby Phat, J.D. Penney and Burlington Coat Factory. In an interview with FOX News correspondent, Molly Henneberg, Tommy Hilfiger said that it stands behind its previous statement, saying the company rarely uses fur. When real fur is used, it come from the U.S. and meets all laws and regulations, they said. Macy's gave FOX News a company statement which said it has a standing policy against selling anything with dog or cat fur, and that any violation is "pursued vigorously" with suppliers. The inaccurately labeled products are "removed from our stores and online sites," said the statement.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

02-10-2007, 06:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,267 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 282	Oh good gods. I just looked up 'raccoon dogs' on google and found a page showing how these animals are prepared and then skinned alive. It makes me feel sick that anyone would do this to an animal for fashion (or any reason at all). In the very least they could have killed the animal before doing this to it. How any company can, firstly, use this 'product' and secondly, sell it to unsuspecting buyers I just don't understand. It all makes me want to cry. Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

02-10-2007, 07:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
*Swiftwind* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 5,476 Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 194	That's just horrible! I don't know why people continue to use fur these days.. it should not be seen as fashion. I remember when I was in Belgium a few years back my aunty wanted to look at a coat shop (fur coats, mind you). I was not at all impressed, but had to go along. Seeing all the different types of fur made me feel sick. Quite a lot of the fur came from endangered animals. Once, at school, I was in my Business Studies class and we were having a debate about the use of fur for fashion. I was the ONLY one oposing it - that just shocked me a bit. I remember one girl said "Oh, once you use the fur you can just eat the meat". I said to her "So, you'd eat wolf meat?" she went completely quiet.
	__________________ As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Get more out of Global Paw: Art Classes / Blogs / Book Club / Photo Gallery / Woof Review

02-10-2007, 07:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
*Rivsky* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Australia Posts: 3,722 Blog Entries: 6 Rep Power: 138	I can't believe this is seriously happening - why is that so many people in the fashion industry think this is ok?
	__________________ As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

02-10-2007, 09:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
PawNclaws Labrador Crazy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North West Posts: 1,897 Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 108	I've read about this befor and have seen the pictures of what they do to these poor creatures. It's horrible and sick !!! I still can't believe anyone could wear any thing like that.
	__________________

02-11-2007, 05:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pearlulm Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 376 Rep Power: 64	Years ago (about 6) I worked in a major department store as a selling manager in the Men's Nautica clothing department. We got a coat in once that had a collar made out of dog. It was manufactered in China. I complained to our rep and put the coats in the back room. After a while they were marked down and then vendor returned because they weren't selling. If people stop buying them they will quit making them. I certainly wasn't going to sell them!
Pearlulm Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 376 Rep Power: 64	__________________ Because violence can only breed more violence and suffering, our struggle must be nonviolent and free of hatred. -The Dalai Lama Peaches, Cindy Lou & Gretchen

02-11-2007, 05:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dogsareme Kaede, Mudd & Kyrel Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 587 Rep Power: 70	Sick Sick people in this world I don't get it!! If they want to use "dog fur" for something, I would be glad to send them the fur I brush off of Kaede everyday. If they don't mind sorting it and finding the ends they could use that. But why, WHY kill a dog for fur it sheds! In a life time you could get more fur off a dog alive then dead!! It's sick and not a fasion statement, PERIOD. Edit: How can you tell in a store if the clothing is made of dog fur, or any other animal fur for that fact. I've never bought fur before, but I'm curious how to tell. I would sure let the department store managers get an earful if I can tell it's real fur.
	__________________ Happiness is owning a dog.

02-12-2007, 08:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
rmci aka Red Dogs Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,221 Rep Power: 86	OMG! Dog fur clothes sound yucky. I've joked about knitting a sweater from Baxter's fur when he blows his coat. I wear leather so I guess I'm just as bad. There's rabbit fur coats/trim, Mink (a type of weasel), alligator & ostrich boots, etc. Oh yeah! And chinchilla. Have you ever seen how cute chinchilla's are?
	__________________ The reason a dog has so many friends; he wags his tail instead of his tongue

02-12-2007, 08:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
trainingrixie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: jax, fla Posts: 746 Rep Power: 55	People suck and are twisted in the head! RMCI, I don't hink leather is as bad as fur from animals like the ones you listed. I'm not sure how the leather industry works, but any means, but do they use the skin from the cows that are going to be butchered for eating purposes anyway? It'd make sense to do it that way, but that doesn't mean that's the way it happens. Anyway, It's just when the animal is killed SOLELY for the purpose of fashion that it is twisted and morbid and sickening. know what i mean?

02-12-2007, 11:05 AM	#12 (permalink)
rmci aka Red Dogs Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,221 Rep Power: 86	If I happened to see a Raccoon Dog roaming around I would think "Hey, that's the biggest raccoon I've ever seen", not that it was a dog.
	__________________ The reason a dog has so many friends; he wags his tail instead of his tongue

02-12-2007, 11:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
TribalRats Take Responsibility Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 3,327 Rep Power: 143	Yep me too however it is infact a dog.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

02-12-2007, 02:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
Pearlulm Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 376 Rep Power: 64	If it is a dog or a raccoon is beside the point. They should not be skinning ANY animal alive!
Pearlulm Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 376 Rep Power: 64	__________________ Because violence can only breed more violence and suffering, our struggle must be nonviolent and free of hatred. -The Dalai Lama Peaches, Cindy Lou & Gretchen