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HSUS Files New Fur False Advertising Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission

April 24, 2008


	©Biopix.com
	Fur from racoon dogs (known to be skinned alive in China) is often sold incorrectly labeled.

The Humane Society of the United States filed a legal petition with the Federal Trade Commission today seeking criminal and civil penalties against more than a dozen nationally known retailers and fashion designers for the false advertising and mislabeling of raccoon dog and other fur garments.

The HSUS filed a similar action against 12 retailers and designers last year, including five companies that are also named in the latest petition.

"The epidemic of false advertising in the fur industry only seems to be getting worse," said Kristin Leppert, director of the fur-free campaign for The HSUS. "How many raccoon dogs will be skinned alive and sold as faux fur before this unconscionable behavior comes to a halt?"

More than 20 companies have now been named in the FTC proceeding, including nine that were added in the latest filing: Bloomingdale's, Inc.; Caché, Inc.; Dr. Jays, Inc.; ELuxury.com, Inc.; Pasha & Jo; Ramosport; Saks Incorporated; Sears, Roebuck and Co.; and Yoox S.p.A.

Over the last three winters, The HSUS has identified dozens of falsely advertised or falsely labeled garments—70 percent of which contained fur from the raccoon dog, an Asian member of the dog family, that has been documented to be skinned alive in China. Among the false names used for raccoon dog fur are faux fur, ecological fur, polyester, coyote, rabbit, Canis Latranis, raccoon and Finni raccon.

In the U.S. Congress, Reps. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.) have introduced the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act, H.R. 891, that would require labeling of all fur garments regardless of value, and would ban the sale of raccoon dog fur. The bill has 163 co-sponsors in the House, and The HSUS calls on Congress to act swiftly to pass this much-needed reform.

What You Can Do

Urge your representative to support the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act.