New York First State to Ban Anal Electrocution for Fur

©The HSUS/Dantzler

Foxes and other animals on New York fur farms  will be spared the painful deaths of electrocution, but they still suffer enormously just  to supply a little trim for a collar or cuff.

New York made history today by becoming the first state in the nation to ban the practice of electrocuting animals to make fur coats and fur-trimmed jackets.  Across the United States, electrocution—including anal and genital electrocution—is still used in killing foxes, chinchillas, mink and other animals for their fur.  

Abroad, electrocution is also widely used, and anal electrocution of foxes is common.  When they are not slammed into the ground or beaten before being skinned alive, raccoon dogs are also anally electrocuted.  In banning electrocution, New York joins the U.K., which had already banned this cruel practice (replacing it with barbiturate injection) before banning fur farming altogether for its unethical nature.

Extraordinary Cruelty

The one-step process of anal and genital electrocution forces a surge of electricity into the animal's body through electrodes, and although the animal can appear rigid and motionlessness, he or she may remain conscious and suffering while experiencing the full force of a heart attack.  Such a method of killing is considered unacceptable by American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines. 

Unfortunately, the opinions of the public and veterinarians have done as little to stop fur-factory operators from using electrocution as they have done to discourage fur trappers from using their cruel methods. Some of these methods include the steel-jawed leghold trap, which the AVMA considers "inhumane;" the Conibear-style body-crushing trap which killed multiple family dogs in New York last year; and the neck snare, which can cause coyotes to experience the horrific phenomenon of "jellyhead"—wherein the animal remains alive as fluid builds up in his or her head.

Lawmakers Set Example for Compassion

New York—the country’s top fur market—has taken a significant step this year by both banning electrocution and closing the fur labeling loophole. Senator Frank Padavan, sponsor of both bills on his side of the legislature, was joined by bill sponsors Assemblymember Deborah Glick on the law to ban electrocution, and by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal on the law calling for truthful fur labeling. 

By passing these commonsense laws, the New York state legislature and Governor Spitzer have set examples of decency that other states should soon follow.

Related Links

Fur? What Fur?

Shopping for Back-To-School Clothes?

The Cruel Reality of Fur Production

Caged Fur: The Inside Story