HSUS exposé compels Govt to take fashion sector to task
24 Feb '07
5 min read
It is illegal to import, export, sell or advertise any domestic dog fur in the United States. Fur from other animals must be identified with a label, but only if the value of the fur exceeds $150. U.S. Representatives Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Michael Ferguson (R-N.J.), along with 28 additional cosponsors, today introduced the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act, which aims to protect consumers and animals by outlawing the import of fur from raccoon dogs and requiring all garments trimmed with fur to be labeled, regardless of value.
"Selling domestic dog and raccoon dog fur as 'faux' or other deceptive names is unconscionable," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS, the nation's largest animal protection organization. "We're very grateful to Rep. Moran and Rep. Ferguson for introducing this important legislation, and we urge Congress to pass the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act to prevent animal cruelty and consumer fraud."
The coats trimmed with raccoon dog fur were sold online as "raccoon" by Neiman Marcus, Dillard's and Smartbargains.com (Loehmann's online retailer) and as "rabbit" by Bergdorf Goodman and Footlocker. Other retailers uncovered selling misidentified or unlabeled raccoon dog fur include Lord and Taylor, Ross, D.E.M.O, Macy's, J.C. Penney and Burlington Coat Factory.
The designers involved include well-known brands such as Diddy's Sean John, Jay-Z's Rocawear, Beyoncé Knowles' Deréon, Calvin Klein, Andrew Marc, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Bogner, Baby Phat and DKNY. Many designers and retailers were shocked by The HSUS's test results: Deréon, Macy's, Rocawear and Sean John pulled the offending garments, with Rocawear and Sean John pledging not to use raccoon dog fur in the future, and Calvin Klein announced it will phase out the use of all fur.
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