Dog and Cat Victims of the Fur Trade |
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Few people realize the true scale of suffering wild animals endure for the fur trade. But even less well known is that buying fur or fur trim supports an industry that also
kills millions of domestic dogs and cats each year.
Although the majority of dog and cat victims are raised and killed in China and other parts of Asia, their fur is exported for sale worldwide.
Only a handful of countries have banned dog and cat fur, but the European Union has publicly stated it intends to seek a ban in the near future.
The United States already bans the sale of dog and cat fur (helped by an HSUS investigation), but our latest investigation found that dog fur is still slipping into the country through unlabeled and falsely labeled jackets.
Many dogs and cats also fall victim to traps set for wild animals. In the United States—the world's leading supplier of fur from trapped animals—countless dogs and cats are injured and killed each year in indiscriminate steel-jawed leghold traps, Conibear traps and snares.
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Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons |
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This dog was caught in a trap commonly used by fur trappers. |
The exact number of American dogs and cats injured or killed in traps is unknown because many incidents go unreported. Dogs are caught often enough that members of a large trapping association offer its members an insurance policy intended to protect them from lawsuits filed by owners of victimized dogs and cats. The policy offers as much as $300,000 in protection.
People who buy fur garments made using fur from trapped animals (mink, raccoon, fox, coyote and others) contribute to the global demand for fur.
If you know about a dog or cat who was caught in a trap, please fill out our trapping case report to help document this cruelty and expose it.
News on Pets in Traps
2009
Aug. 17: Red Deer Advocate (Alberta): Dog Caught in Snare at Three-Mile Bend
June 5: Anchorage Daily News: Man Gets Jail Term for Killing Dog with Trap
May 29: The Western Star (Newfoundland/Labrador): Unused Traps Left Out in Recreation Area
May 5: The Journal Star (Neb.): County Board Outlaws Ditch Trapping
May 4: Times & Transcript (New Brunswick): Find a Balance for Trapping Rules
Apr. 9: WCCO (Minn.): Wild Animal Trap Kills Dog, Lead to New Ordinance
Apr. 5: WCCO (Minn.): Owners Warn of Animal Traps After Dog Killed
Mar. 13: Idaho Mountain Express: Traps and Dogs Don't Mix
Mar. 13: Salina Journal (Kan.): Dog Caught by Trap, Dies
Mar. 9: La Grande Observer (Ore.): Traps and Pets
Mar. 8: Idaho Statesman: Worlds of Trappers, Pet Owners Collide
Jan. 12: Peninsula Clarion (Alaska): Snared: Owners Learn Tips for Keeping Pets Safe During Trapping Season
Jan. 11: Anchorage Daily News: Caught in Otter Trap, Dog Dies
2008
Dec. 26: The Windsor Star (Ontario): Kitten Euthanized After Trap Ordeal
Dec. 18: Lake County News-Sun (Ill.): Illegal Trapping Cause of Therapy Dog's Death
Dec. 6: Lake County News-Sun (Ill.): Libertyville Police Claim Jurisdiction in Fatal Trapping
Dec. 3: Idaho Mountain Express and Guide: Pooch Falls Prey to Fox Trap
Nov. 29: United Press International: Illegal Trap Kills Family Dog
Nov. 29: Anchorage Daily News: Trap Kills Family's Dog Inside City Limits
Nov. 18: Kings County Record (New Brunswick): Family Dog Snared; One Dies
Nov. 12: WKYT (Kentucky): Dog Rescued Atop Cliff
Oct. 29: Herald Times Record (Wisc.): Woman Wants Trapping Signs Posted After Dog Killed at Camp Sinawa
Sept. 25: Indiana's News Center: Trapper Sentenced for Dumping Carcasses
May 29: KBS Radio (Canada): Leg Hold Traps Kill Dog Near Creston
May: YouTube: Dog Rosie Died After Suffering in Cruel Leghold Trap
May: 2008, Creston Valley Advance (British Columbia): Leghold Trap Kills Dog
May 1: The Topeka Capital Journal: Death of Cat Results in Conviction, Fine
April 30: The New York Times: Montana Dog Owners Find Wild-Animal Traps Put Pets in Harm’s Way
April 30: The HSUS (Topeka): Trapper Found Guilty of Animal Cruelty for Killing Cat
March 22: The Citizens' Voice (Pennsylvania): Cat Caught in Leghold Trap Died Excruciating Death
March 17: CBC NEWS (Canada): Cat Makes Painful Trip Home, Caught in Leg-hold Trap
March 9: Anchorage Daily: Season of Trapping Catches Two Wolverines and Six Dogs
March 1: The Flint Journal (Michigan): Debate Grows over Animal Traps as Family Pets Sometimes Fall Victim
Feb. 28:WTOP News (Washington, D.C.): Dog Owners Shocked, Saddened By Shootings
Feb. 19: Chattanooga Times Free Press: Trappers Describe a 'Dying' Way of Life
February: The Missoulan (Mont.): Living with trapping—All Parties Learn after Dog Caught in Trap near Alberton
Jan. 1: Anchorage Daily News: Dog's Death in Trap Raises Hackles in Indian
2007
March 12: The Packet: Dog Owner Says Rules Needed; Trappers Should Have to Post Signs
Human Victims of Traps
Dec. 10, 2008: WSAW-7 (Wisc.): Small Animal Trap Hurts Grown Western Marathon County Man
Sept. 18, 2008:The Oregonian: Sherwood Chief Orders Police to Shoot Coyotes
Non-Target Wildlife Victims of Traps
Mar. 3, 2009: Hartford Courant: Activists for New Law After Owl Trapping Case
Feb. 3, 2009: Trapped Owl's Death Sparks Legislative Action
Poaching
Mar. 11, 2009: Anchorage Daily News: Poacher Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison
See the Video
Law to Ban Canine Coats
Cats and Dogs are Companions, not Coats
Trapping Dangers for Pets
Related Links
WILD - Dog and Cat Protection Act
WILD - Trapping - The Inside Story
WILD - Trapping Case Report Form
