"Americans don't want Lassie turned into a fur coat. Unfortunately, that's happening today because consumers lack the right information to make an informed purchase," said Rep. Jim Moran. "In the U.S., we treat cats and dogs as pets, not trimmings for the latest fashion wear. Our laws should be reflective of the special status Americans bestow on their companion animals, not contradictive."
Half of all fur garments entering the United States come from China, where large numbers of domestic dogs and cats as well as raccoon dogs are killed every year for their fur by brutal methods, sometimes skinned alive. The Dog and Cat Protection Act of 2000 banned the trade in domestic dog and cat fur after an HSUS investigation revealed the death toll at 2 million animals a year and found domestic dog fur for sale in the United States.
"If consumers buy fur jackets from China, it's very possible they are getting falsely labeled fur from domestic dogs or raccoon dogs skinned alive," Pacelle added.
"American consumers have every right to know whether the faux fur coat they think they are buying is falsely labeled," said Rep. Michael Ferguson. "We are a nation of animal lovers and it's just outrageous that consumers are being deceived. Congressional action is needed to make sure the best, most accurate information is made available when purchasing new jackets and coats."
The Moran-Ferguson legislation will outlaw raccoon dog fur and close a loophole in the Fur Products Labeling Act of 1951 that exempts garments with a "relatively small quantity or value" of fur from requiring labels disclosing the name of the species, the manufacturer, the country of origin and other pertinent information for consumers. The Federal Trade Commission defines that value today as $150—an amount that allows multiple animal pelts on a garment without a label.
The Humane Society of the United States
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