WASHINGTON – In the wake of the ongoing fur labeling and advertising scandal in the retail fashion industry, Foot Locker, Inc., a worldwide company with over 4,000 stores, has agreed to go completely fur-free. In addition, Michael Kors USA, Inc., a major fashion design company, has agreed not to sell raccoon dog fur. The Humane Society of the United States today dropped its FTC complaint against both companies, and continued to call for federal agency sanctions against 12 other companies that have not taken appropriate action to correct these widespread problems.
Raccoon dogs – a member of the canine family – are raised in vast numbers in China and killed to supply China's huge garment export industry. Investigators have documented workers skinning the animals alive. An HSUS investigation last winter found fur from domestic dogs and raccoon dogs on designer jackets – which were falsely advertised as "faux" or falsely labeled as a different species of animal.
"We applaud Foot Locker for giving the boot to fur. Shedding fur trim is a way to avoid contributing to cruelty and misleading consumers, since it is so difficult to provide accurate information on the source of fur trim," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.
"Michael Kors has also taken a positive step to protect animals and consumers by pledging not to use raccoon dog fur, and we are so grateful for this important pledge," adds Pacelle.
The original FTC petition was filed in March after an HSUS investigation determined many retailers and designers were selling falsely labeled or falsely advertised jackets containing raccoon dog, domestic dog or wolf fur. Both raccoon dog fur and domestic dog fur were found on jacket trimmings advertised as faux fur. On May 8, 2007, the FTC announced that it has referred the petition to the Division of Enforcement at the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
During the investigation, The HSUS found Footlocker.com selling a Rocawear brand jacket advertised as having "rabbit" fur trim that scientific testing determined to be from a raccoon dog. The jacket's label said nothing about fur, a loophole allowed under current law if the value of the fur is $150 or less. Rocawear was not named in the original petition because it has pledged to stop all use of raccoon dog fur.
The new Foot Locker policy states, "Foot Locker, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not condone or support the killing of animals for fur or fur trim and, therefore, do not and will not knowingly sell any apparel, accessory or other items that contain real animal fur." This policy affects Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, Footlocker.com, and Eastbay in 20 countries in North America, Europe, and Australia.
Also during the investigation, The HSUS found a Michael Kors brand jacket sold on Dillards.com, a clothing website, advertised and labeled as being "raccoon," but identified through scientific testing as being from a raccoon dog. In a statement from a representative for the company, "Although Michael Kors USA, Inc. has never knowingly purchased or sold any garment containing Asiatic raccoon (Nyctereutes Procyonoides) fur from China, they have determined to no longer purchase or sell any garment containing raccoon or Asiatic raccoon fur from China and will not knowingly purchase or sell any garment containing Asiatic raccoon fur from any source."
The petition asks the FTC to "investigate and commence enforcement action against several retailers and fashion designers that are now or have been engaged in the manufacturing, advertising, selling, and/or labeling of fur-trimmed garments in violation of the federal Fur Products Labeling Act." The companies that remain named in the petition include Andrew Marc, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Bluefly, Dillard's, J.C. Penney, Lord & Taylor, Macy's (Federated Department Stores), Neiman Marcus, Baby Phat, Ross and Spiewak.
FACTS:
- Raccoon dogs are raised in large numbers in China, where the killing methods are especially inhumane, and many are skinned alive.
- "Raccoon dog" is the accepted common name, but this member of the dog family is sometimes called Asiatic raccoon, due to its superficial resemblance to raccoons.
- Current labeling laws allow fur trim that is worth $150 or less to be placed on jackets without any mention of fur on the label.
- U.S. Reps. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.) have introduced H.R. 891, the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act, which would require the labeling of all fur-trimmed garments, regardless of value, and also ban the sale of raccoon dog fur. The bill currently has 92 co-sponsors in Congress.
- Half of all fur garments entering the United States come from China, where domestic dogs, raccoon dogs, and cats are all killed for their fur in brutal ways. Live skinning has been well documented.
TIMELINE:
- May 8, 2007 – The FTC responds to The HSUS' original petition, refers matter to the Division of Enforcement at the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
- March 13, 2007 – HSUS files petition with the Federal Trade Commission seeking civil and criminal penalties against companies involved in fur labeling and advertising scandal.
- March 2007 – Tommy Hilfiger pledges to go fur-free as a result of the HSUS's investigation.
- February 2007 – Tests commissioned by HSUS investigators find domestic dog fur on unlabeled jackets being advertised as "faux" fur.
- December 2006 – Calvin Klein pledges to go fur-free as a result of The HSUS's investigation.
- December 2006 – Tests commissioned by HSUS investigators find raccoon dog fur on jackets being advertised as "faux" and labeled as other species such as raccoon or coyote.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
