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Raccoon Dogs as Fur?Recently it came to light that China was using dog fur for its clothing. Raccoon dog fur to be exact. The debate over the use of animal fur for human fashion is as heated as ever. However, this argument has never involved the use of dog fur. Animals such as the mink and fox are highly argued, dog fur has never been considered acceptable as clothing.
Many people are still unaware that department stores unknowingly sold garments with this raccoon dog fur. The China distributors peddled it as other animals whose fur is commonly used for
clothing.
Who Is This Raccoon Dog?
First of all, these dogs get their namesake because of their close likeness to the raccoon. The raccoon dog has fur similar to the raccoon and they supplement their diet with berries and seeds just like the raccoon. Even though considered a dog, their canine teeth are weak, thus forcing the raccoon dog to small prey.
The fact that China used raccoon dog fur for clothing is not uncommon. In Japan, the dog is hunted not only for its fur, but for its meat. Since the dog is closely related to raccoons and beavers, they are treated similarly. What made the incident with China shocking was that China advertised the fur as being from different animals. Animals accepted for their fur in the United States, where as a dog, regardless of its similarities to the raccoon, has never been considered acceptable as clothing.
Raccoon dogs are highly adaptable. Their variety of diet allows them to thrive in many regions. In fact, many Chinese regions consider this animal a vermin since its population is so rampant.
With watchdog organizations such as PETA, it came to light that coats sold to Macy's contained real fur, when they were in fact labeled as having a faux fur lining. Further investigation revealed that the fur used was that of the Raccoon dog.
To further inrage their supporters, the raccoon dog was then broadcast in inhumane conditions. Photos of the Chinese workers depict graphic scenes of crippled, but conscious dogs being stripped of their fur.
To their defense, Macy's and the clothing manufactuere knew nothing of the treatment or the use of raccoon dog. Once the discovery was made the coats were promptly pulled from the shelves and the clothing company, Sean John Clothing halted all production of the product.
This was indeed the responsible response to the discovery. If Macy's of the clothing company neglected to pull the clothing they would be ignoring the inhumane treatment of the animals and therefore be accepting it. Someone who knows what is wrong, but does nothing, is just as responsible for the problem as the person who committed the grievance. |
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