Warning: Extreme animal cruelty captured by undercover PETA animal rights activist in China below.
The Manchester branches of Marks & Spencer, Next and H&M have halted the production of ‘cruel’ angora goods following a PETA investigation, but have come under fire for not banning them completely.
The animal rights organisation obtained shocking footage of rabbits used in the Chinese angora fur industry, where 90% of the world’s angora fur hails from, showing workers violently ripping the fur from the animals’ skin as they scream out in pain.
In light of this the retail giants have stopped production but consumers are angry that they’ve not committed to banning them completely and are instead choosing to capitalise on their existing stock.
Online fashion retailer ASOS has confirmed that it’s banning and pulling from its shelves any products made with angora.
Associate Director of PETA UK, Mimi Bekhechi, said: “By pulling all angora products from its international websites and shelves, ASOS has done the right thing for animals and consumers.
“Angora production is cruel, and PETA urges all retailers to follow ASOS’s example and show that cruelty to animals has no place in their stores.”
CRUEL: Rabbit being tethered for Angora fur shearing
PETA Asia’s investigator visited angora farms in China, where there are no penalties for animal abuse on rabbit farms and no standards that regulate the treatment of animals.
The investigator documented rabbits, who are highly sensitive and social animals, lying in shock and isolation inside tiny, filthy, wire-bottomed cages after having their fur ripped out.
TORTUROUS: Angora rabbit enduring fur ripping
They undergo this horrific procedure every three months for three to five years, after this their throats are slit and the skin is teared from their lifeless bodies one final time and they are replaced by new rabbits who will suffer the same fate.
A Marks and Spencer’s spokesman said: “We’re not currently making any clothes containing Angora Wool or placing any further orders with our suppliers until we’ve concluded our visits to these farms.”
Warning: Extreme animal cruelty captured by undercover PETA animal rights activist in China below.
Pictures and video footage courtesy of PETA UK, with thanks
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