The Humane Society of the United States praised New York state lawmakers and Governor Eliot Spitzer for enacting the first law in the country to ban the inhumane electrocution—including anal and genital electrocution—of animals raised to become fur coats and fur-trimmed garments. Governor Spitzer signed the bill into law last night, making it the first public policy in the U.S. to prohibit this inhumane practice.
“Animals killed to make fur coats and fur-trimmed apparel suffer in numerous ways, but one of the most inhumane and painful methods is the anal or genital electrocution of foxes, chinchillas and other animals,” said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The Humane Society of the United States. “We applaud state lawmakers for their foresighted leadership in protecting animals from this horrifying fur factory farm practice.”
The bills were A. 2613a, sponsored by Assemblymember Deborah Glick (D-66), and S. 3529a, sponsored by Senator Frank Padavan (R-11). The legislation passed both the Assembly and Senate unanimously in June.
“By enacting this legislation into law, we are outlawing the barbaric, callous and inhumane practice of electrocuting animals for use of their fur,” said Senator Frank Padavan. “I am pleased we have been able to take another significant step forward in the fight to ensure all animals are treated with the highest standard of humane treatment and care.”
“This painful method of killing fur bearing animals is inhumane and gruesome,” said Assemblymember Glick, “Most people would be appalled at these methods that are considered unacceptable according to guidelines by the American Veterinary Medical Association. It is reassuring that this inhumane practice will be prohibited in at least one state.”
Prior to being killed, animals in fur factory farms are warehoused for months in rows of barren wire battery cages. When animals are electrocuted through their anus or genitals, which is typical on fur farms, the electricity does not go through and stun the brain; the animals must remain awake and feel the full excruciating force of a massive heart attack. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s guidelines for euthanasia, “Use of a nose-to-tail or nose-to-foot method alone may kill the animal by inducing cardiac fibrillation, but the animal may be conscious for a period of time before death. Therefore, these techniques are not acceptable.”
Although the practice is common in the United States, even industry trade groups say they do not sanction electrocution. According to Fur Commission USA, “the only method of euthanasia approved by Fur Commission USA is bottled gas, either pure carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide.”
Earlier, this month, Governor Spitzer signed another bill related to the fur industry. A. 8966a, sponsored by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D-67) and Senator Padavan, protects New York shoppers by requiring that all fur-trimmed garments are labeled to inform the consumer whether it’s real or fake fur. An HSUS investigation this past winter revealed that dozens of major retailers and designers were selling fur-trimmed garments advertised as “faux fur,” which were in fact real animal fur, in some cases dog fur from China.
Added Markarian, “The anti-cruelty laws of a state are a reflection of our basic values and attitudes toward animals, and this pair of path-breaking bills is a measurable step forward for animals and consumers in the state of New York.”
A separate bill in the U.S. Congress – H.R. 891, the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act – would require all garments trimmed with fur to be labeled, regardless of value. Current law allows fur valued at less than $150 to go unlabeled. This legislation was introduced by Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.) and is pending in the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.). It currently has more than 100 cosponsors and has been endorsed by retailers and designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Burlington Coat Factory, Loehmann’s, House of Deréon, Marc Ecko Enterprises and Buffalo Exchange.
Information on The Humane Society of the United States’ fur campaign, visit http://www.humanesociety.org/furfree
Facts:
- There is precedent for banning the electrocution of fur-bearing animals: the electrocution of foxes was banned in the United Kingdom and was replaced by barbiturate injection.
- USDA reports indicate New York had seven mink farms in 2001. The number is believed to have since declined. There is no current data available for fox farms, although there are believed to be very few.
- USDA reports that in 2006, 16 mink farms in the United States also raised foxes, down from 19 in 2005.
- USDA reports put 2006 U.S. mink pelt production at 2.86 million, with Wisconsin the largest producer, followed by Utah.
- More than 50 million animals, including mink, foxes, raccoon dogs, chinchillas, rabbits and domestic dogs and cats are killed annually at fur farms worldwide.
- In China, live skinning of animals for the fur trade—much of which is sold in the U.S.—is well documented.
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