Jun25
Why We're Opposed to the EU Dog/Cat Fur Ban
Posted at 02:13 PM | Permalink
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Comments (23)
We’ve been getting a lot of questions on this since the European Parliament voted on it this week, so I thought I’d clear the air a bit.
I realize that it’s going to come as a huge shock to some but PETA is completely opposed to the ban. Obviously, the cruelty involved in the slaughter of dogs and cats is beyond hideous and has to be stopped, but we feel like this “ban” is really nothing more than a feel-good measure that is likely to harm more animals than it would help.
First off, the entire point of the proposed legislation, as it states very clearly, is to protect the fur industry. The language in the proposed legislation couldn’t be more clear on this fact: The bill is intended to and would in fact “facilitate the placing on the market of fur and fur products from species other than cats and dogs and prevent disturbance on the international market for fur and fur products in general.”
Even more insane to me is the fact that the proposed legislation would do absolutely nothing to actually stop the trade in dog and cat fur in Europe, since it would exempt fur from dogs and cats who have been killed for any other purpose, including meat. Millions of dogs and cats are killed for their meat and fur in China, where we did an investigation and found horrendous cruelty.
Our concerns really boil down to the fact that the ban will help the fur trade by giving consumers a false sense of security that it is safe to buy fur because they’ll believe it isn’t from dogs and cats. In the United States and other countries, similar bans on dog and cat fur simply haven’t worked; dog and cat fur is still sold, but it is relabelled as fur from other species. A ban like this won’t work any better than self-regulation, which, in the fur trade, means no regulation. The ban’s only practical effect will be to promote the acceptance of fur from other species of animals, including canine and feline species such as coyotes and lynx, who are just as abused as dogs and cats in the fur trade.
Essentially, this legislation will just grease the wheels of the fur industry so it can kill millions of animals for their skins while assuring consumers that none of them is like their family pets. And of course, it’s just as messed up to skin minks or foxes alive and wear their fur as it is to skin dogs or cats alive for their fur.
I hope this helps make our position a bit more clear. Where do you stand? Comments much appreciated.
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Comments
If there's one thing I trust PETA on, it's on protecting animals. Do whatever you think is right.
Posted by: Maya | June 25, 2007 02:55 PM
BSL=Bull Shit Legislation the method of killing is horrendous enough but allowing these items to be imported or exported at the expense of tortuing defenseless animals is too high a price to pay. People are out of control and no one is enforcing anything. These are the kind of people that stop at nothing..are children next? what about people? would this type of wording be in place if it were people versus animals? I think not I would gladly arrange for these heathens to meet their maker but oops that is against the law. I think their should be more shirts with "Kill them all Let God sort them out" How about proposing legislation for that? The people will stop it but not any government..they are too busy padding their bank account to be concerned.
Posted by: Dewey Napier | June 25, 2007 02:56 PM
The EU cat and dog fur band is totally ridiculous!That just paves the way for more other kinds of animal species to be tortured and killed for their fur! Until we adapt a new way of thinking,that fur is not ours to wear. This "sweep it under the rug" way of thinking will continue. There will still be the guy in the black market to sell to the supplier "cheaper" cause it's cat or dog fur we'll never know! Come' on there are beautiful synthetic fibres out there that look as close to the real thing without sacrificing animals! Remember it's 2007! Not 1809 when we needed fur supposedly to keep warm!
Posted by: Carla | June 25, 2007 03:34 PM
Ban fur period! I don't care what animal there using....It's sensless and unecessary. If there are suitable substitutes/replacemts to fur,Why? Seriously, why?
Cause you're cold? Thats great, man up, drink a hot beverage, wrap yourself in a blanket and get real!
Posted by: EJ | June 25, 2007 05:49 PM
Well I was inicially happy over the ban but your points are well taken. What is up with these Chinese, one of the oldest civilizations on earth but, so what, they seem to be completely devoid of compassion. I hope there is plenty of publicity during the Olympics about their barbarious treatment of animals be it to eat,skin or make medicine from.
Posted by: Maureen | June 25, 2007 05:55 PM
I completely agree. While if I just said to someone that the EU banned dog and cat fur imports, people would this is a good thing. While in itself, it seems like a good thing - people just don't bother to learn the facts about legislation like this(amongst things). I think your explanation was concise and effective, good job.
Posted by: Michael Conley | June 26, 2007 01:54 AM
PETA is right on the money. This is just another example of governmental Orwellian double-speak, where humane progress seems to occur, but more leeway is actually being granted to the barbarous status quo. Canada has the ludicrously misnamed Seal Protection Regulations, which do absolutely nothing to protect seals, only their killers.
Posted by: Mike | June 26, 2007 12:08 PM
PETA has never been wrong to me, ever. and i mean seriously, like, why do the have to get the dead dog or the dead cat to keep them warm, i mean if you want somthng furry on you, just cuddle up with a pet. and there are WAY to many other offers than fur. i cant even list them all. TOO TOO TOO many. i mean seriously guys..
Posted by: Margie | June 26, 2007 03:19 PM
The best way to crush the fur industry is to NOT BUY FUR!!!!! Also, boycott products made in China. China abuses both human and non-human animals. Send a message with $$$$. That China understands; and destroy the fur industy by educating others not to purchase fur in any shape or form from any creature. I just gave some students of mine all of this info with some great fliers from both PETA and IDA.
Please, advocates, keep fighting the good fight for the animals. Government laws are nonsense, some don't really help animals and many laws are not even effective. Also in many instances laws are ignored and not implemented and upheld by the government. (Example: why has Vick not been indicted?)
Posted by: Ana | June 26, 2007 05:25 PM
Thanks for clarifying this issue. I am dismayed that other animal rights organizations did not pick up on it. It is clear that in Europe, legislation is also written by industry, just like the infamous $150 loophole in the American ban on dog and cat fur. Thanks for your blog. I read it daily and find it very informative.
Posted by: Jacob Dijkstra, M.D. | June 26, 2007 09:54 PM
Ana,
Easier said than done. My husband and I tried to boycott products from China for these very reasons but here in Australia that isn't anything that isn't made in China. I totally agree with your sentiments though.
Posted by: sonia | June 26, 2007 11:48 PM
Well, tough one. Normally I would agree, BUT this one big issue that has a LONG LONG LONG way to go. Chinese culture and the way they handle animals ain't gonna change overnight. I feel like this is at least a tiny step in the right direction. At the very least, it is bringing light to an issue that most non-animal welfare supporters didn't even know existed. It's not perfect, but at least it's POSITIVE change.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 27, 2007 12:26 AM
peta's concerns about the eu dog and cat fur ban is justified based on the
the 'feel good' rationale they give.
however, is the same sort of reasoning not applicable to their efforts to ban
gestation crates or do the 'support' of burger king's veggie burger?
i think peta's argument may run as follows based on their utilitarian 'reduce
suffering' principle:
"elimination of gestation crates will reduce suffering for pigs (though
admittedly 'happy meat' may make people feel better about eating pigs),
however, banning cat and dog fur does not reduce suffering in general, but
merely transfers it to other species."
while this may be a valid argument, i don't find it particularly useful in
context of the larger scheme of things.
(of course, the burger king thing is really weird.)
i think there is an interesting contradiction in attitude within the opposition to the ban itself. since peta believes in incremental changes leading to eventual elimination (and ar), it is illogical for them to "oppose" the ban because the ban itself is an incremental change.
i think peta just using the opportunity to generate some publicity like they always do effectively and draw attention to the fur thing - and that's probably a good idea!
Posted by: prad | June 28, 2007 01:24 PM
It makes me glad to hear that PETA oppose this ban. Unfortunately most european AR-organizations support this ban (as far as I know), and we have also worked actively to support and propose such a ban.
I have personally critized this ban. I have not primarily argued that it will preserve the rest of the fur trade (even though I agree that it probably will), but I am generally opposed to giving special consideration to dogs, cats and animals from other species that are close to humans. By protesting against fur or meat from dogs and cats and using arguments that imply that it's especially wrong because they are dogs or cats we risk giving more power to the current attitude towards animals where individuals are given different consideration based on which species they belong to. Campaigning for such bans doesn't just protext fur trade in general, but animal exploitation in general, because it supports the idea that the consideration given to non-human animals depend on how close they are to humans...
Posted by: Alvin | July 1, 2007 07:37 AM
I have been writing to PETA for years requesting either an action alert or a campaign to make US citizens aware of the viscious cruelty of the Chinese dog/cat meat industry. I am aware that the fur issue has been exposed, as well as the terrible brutality of the cull in yunan last summer - but I have never seen a through expose of the dog/cat meat industry.
Why?
I am sure most americans would be so outraged that PETA could call for a boycott with successful results.
We must let the chinese know that their sadistic treatment, of an animal known for it's devotion and helpfulness to humans, will not be tolerated.
Posted by: Ruth Eisenbud | July 2, 2007 01:48 PM
It is possible to boycott chinese goods - although I admit it took several months to find a nail clipper made in Germany, a nation with stellar animal rights.
Ruth
Posted by: Ruth Eisenbud | July 2, 2007 04:55 PM
I completey agree, PETA, and trust that you're intention is purely the prevention of animal cruelty. Thanks for informing us of your stance and reasoning.
Posted by: Vanessa | July 2, 2007 09:23 PM
Really agree with the views of Peta. All this ban will do is sweep dog and cat fur under the carpet. Greed will keep this barbaric practise alive in the West. China must be brought to heel before the whole World Trembles. Come on the big hitters United States and Russia wake up. Especially The Russian Federation joined along the border. These hordes will engulf this Country first.
Posted by: Keith | July 3, 2007 01:05 PM
evil evil evil-it reduced me to tears to watch those animals being transported-so terrified and being taken to such an amful fate. idon't know hat we'd do without peta to bring attention to these awful sins of humans
Posted by: CLAIRE CRAIG | July 4, 2007 08:20 AM
Unfortunately, China isn't the only country that slaughters dogs and cats for fur, meat and/or medicial purposes. We need to take a hard look at Korea and the Philipines as well.
Posted by: Ellen | July 5, 2007 08:28 PM
I agree ALL animals should NOT be used for their fur,im completly against buying any kind of items with fur on it,but the BAN AGAINST selling dog and cat fur has to start some where!!! THE GOVERMENT NEEDS TO ACT NOW TO BOYCOTT ALL FUR COMING FROM CHINA.60% OF ALL RECALLS HERE IN UNITED STATES CAME FROM CHINA--- SO WHY CANT UNITED STATES PUT A END TO IMPORTING FUR FROM CHINA TO UNITED STATES? UNITED STATES HAS STOPPED IMPORTING SOME ITEMS COMING INTO UNITED STATES FROM CHINA. (RECALLED ITEMS SUCH AS FOOD,ECT.)I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND WHY ANIMALS NEVER GET THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE!!!THE SELL OF ANIMAL FUR SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!!! ITS TIME THE PEOPLE STAND UP AND SPEAK FOR THESE DEFENSELESS ANIMALS & PUT A STOP TO FUR TRADE ONCE AND FOR ALL.IMMEDIATELEY!!! ANIMALS NEED ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET!! THE ANIMALS ARE THE INNOCENT ONES,PEOPLE THAT ABUSE AND TORTURE ANIMALS ARE COLD BLOODED,GREEDY,SENSELESS,& EVIL!!! MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL ANIMALS BEING ABUSED AND TORTURED.THEIRS NO NEED FOR GREED!!!
Posted by: jeanann mcdaniel | July 6, 2007 08:35 AM
WE all need to wear more fur from animals,it's warm and much better then fake man made products. Don't forget eat your meat nice and rare.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 18, 2007 04:18 AM
I agree with Peta that this will give consumers a false sense of security that should they buy fur (of which they shouldn't in any case).. they can be assured it would not be dog/cat fur and that this will also shift the attention from dog/cats and alternative animals will be used, bred, skinned and killed.
That is a very fair point.
However, I still feel somehow that it is a step in the right direction. If felines and canines are out of the equation so to speak.. that will be two fur animals breeds prevented from entering into these states that ban dog/cat fur since people possibly feel that it evokes a feeling of people shouldn't kill and wear domesticated animals and it's okay to trade and sell fur from 'wild' animals, thus we are back to the 'begining' again.
Again and agian. this boils down to the education of people and making them aware of the brutality and cruelty of this trade behind the attractive furs in shop windows.
If more breeds are out of hte equation.. I would be happy to see that.. for example the Raccoon Dogs killed in vast numbers in horrendous and brutal fashion, seals, etc.
If the variety of animals decreases, that can only be a good thing.
And just becuase dogs and cats are out of the picture in the banned states..it doesn't mean it's 'now okay' to go and buy fur.
No human with compassion knowing the brutality behind this trade would konwingly still go ahead and buy this product and ensure of the continuation and survival of this most heartless and merciless of trades in animals.
Posted by: lizbet | November 11, 2007 05:07 PM