I don’t normally respond to this sort of poor logic, but this has to be one of the most willfully ignorant things I have ever heard said about the ethical issue of human use of animals. Announcing that you simply don’t care about animal suffering would at least be more logically consistent than this irresponsible, misinformed attempt to defend the fur industry, which is without a doubt one of the most hideous, abusive entities on the planet.

Are you aware that the majority of the world’s fur comes from China, where there are almost no animal welfare standards, and where fur-bearing animals are routinely beaten to death, strangled, and skinned alive after spending their entire miserable lives in tiny wire cages where they have no room to move and often go insane from the stress and confinement? Did you know that the standard techniques for killing animals in this country for their fur include neck-breaking and anal and vaginal electrocution? These techniques have nothing to do with welfare, but with preserving the quality of the pelts so that they receive the highest price for the furriers.

You don’t have to like PETA’s tactics to appreciate that the treatment of animals who are used for fur coats is barbaric in the extreme and a taint on our culture, as well as ranking among the cruelest practices in the history of torture. And the fact that all of this takes place for something as frivolous as a luxury fashion accessory, when plenty of warm, comfortable, animal-free fabrics are widely available, makes the whole sick industry — along with those who defend it — all the more reprehensible.

Again, you’re perfectly within your rights to disagree with PETA and our methods, but please do a bit more research in future before professing such ignorant and misinformed opinions to your audience. Thank you for your time.

-Jack Shepherd

There are several points in your fur article which are blatantly wrong.
1) “Typically, they are painlessly gassed.”
This is not true. Typically they are electocuted as mentioned in the previous comment.
2) “If PETA had its way and the fur trade were abolished in the United States,…people would look even more to foreign countries”
If PETA had its way the fur trade would be abolished worldwide.
3) “Let’s face it — the mink and fox are better off in America.”
The mink and fox are better off in the forest, which in America is disappearing, than in a cage.
4) “The average synthetic winter jacket, which comes from petroleum products, will last only a couple of years and takes three gallons of oil to produce”
I have 2 winter jackets from Land’s End that are animal free and I have been wearing, in very rough conditions, for 5 years or more.
5)”The issue isn’t, or shouldn’t be, whether to allow animals to be used by humans no matter how well they are treated”
Actually that is the issue. Why do you feel that every species should be subservient to you? These sentient being exist for their own purposes, not the purposes you give them.
Furthermore your article is philosophically inconsistent. You claim that “dying a horrific, slow death — alone — of sickness, injury or old age.” is undesirable but if a person were to give you a choice between sickness and old age or a bullet in the head you would call them a psychopath. And rightly so. However you so flippantly make this choice for beings who I believe would much rather determine the path their life takes for themselves.
Also “good death,” is as much an oxymoron as “humane slaughter”. Death is something that people must accept but there is no need to encourage it, much less surround ourselves with it.
In conclusion, if you consider yourselves an environmentalist by all mean keep your hand me down coat. Just don’t buy a new one. As consider for a little that all animals are part of the environment you claim to be trying to protect.

The two posters above me are right on target, not much more that I could add, except that the uneducated statements in your article are why these animals suffer through so much torment and cruelty. I too have a winter jacket made of synthetic fibers that has lasted me a good six years. It is the 21st century and there really is no need to be wearing an animals skin. Fur coats are for very vain and fashion backward people. I will leave you with a quote that fits a very wide area of animal abuse, enslavement and cruelty.

“The animals of this world exsist for thier own reasons, they were no more created for man than black were created for whites and women made for man.” ~Alice Walker.

Please watch this video and see why we are trying to give these animals thier voices.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1282796533661048967

I suggest you watch Earthlings (I have provided a link for you), particularly the part about fur farms, and then see if you can still believe these ludicrous myths you have presented here about the fur industry.

The idea that fur is somehow more environmentally friendly is also rather misleading. Fine, fur biodegrades faster. However the animals you’re talking about skinning and wearing are are wild animals, part of a natural environment (except, of course, for those dogs and cats that are used, a la the ‘faux’ fur scandal earlier this year: http://www.wtoctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6168664). Their being raised for fashion is one of the most un-environmental and unsustainable concepts one could think of.

Please, do some research, and reconsider your stance on fur. It would benefit yourself as well as the animals so cruelly abused in the name of vanity and style.

Betsy, did you even research the fur industry before you spewed out this column?? I’ve been researching it for years and I must say yours is the most ridiculous argument I’ve heard yet (and I’ve heard plenty).

Your argument is why not kill 50+ animals (yes, that’s the number it takes to make one fur coat) because at least they won’t be killed in the wild? First of all I’ll let you in on the facts. The reason the “fur bearing” animals (as you call them) are so numerous is because they are specifically bred on fur farms, NOT because of any natural rise in their population in the wild. They are being bred STRICTLY for slaughter to make a fur coat or other fur garments. Also, they are NOT humanely gassed or euthanized, they are usually ANALLY OR VAGINALLY electrocuted as well as trapped with a steel jaw trap (which results in breaking their legs) to preserve their fur. You tell me how humane it is to be vaginally or anally electrocuted, I’m really interested to see your answer.

I protest the wearing of fur on a weekly basis and I can tell you that the majority of passerby’s come up to tell us they agree with the protesting of fur versus the ones who do not. It’s becoming less and less socially acceptable to wear fur. So, if you choose to wear your fur out on the streets of Chicago you can fully expect to have comments made to you from people who are disgusted by it. It’s the epitome of being vain. To think of yourself as being THAT important to have 50 innocent creatures killed to provide you with a coat when there are hundreds of other coat options out there. Is it the look of fur that’s appealing? Then why not buy FAUX fur? If the kind of abuse and torture that happens on a fur farm was inflicted on your family pet you would be jailed and charged with animal cruelty. So where do you draw the line there?

In regards to your statement that “Humans are the only beings that can use animals humanely”, in what context do you mean exactly? Your argument is so open ended and vague, not to mention it just flat out lacks any kind of accurate information regarding the fur trade. I would be happy to supply you with AMPLE information if you would like so you can read up and educate yourself on this issue.

There is little to add as the previous comments are so comprehensive. I will comment in support of all the animals and activists who protect them.

Fur is the skin of a dead animal. A fur coat is the skin of fifty dead animals.

As Alice Walker has so eloquently put it;

“The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men.”

I appreciate your comments in defense of fur and want to address
> your point about animals whose pelts go into the fur market being humanely
> treated. Unknown to most people, every effort is being made in the US to humanely capture wild furbearing animals as well.
> I am a professional wildlife researcher and oversee an international
> research project that is working to make the trapping of wild animals more
> humane. Trapping is already one of the most highly regulated wildlife
> activities; more so than hunting and fishing. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is in the process of
> developing “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) for Trapping in the United States.
> This project has been underway for 10 years and is the result of a Memorandum of
> Understanding between the EU and the United States that was agreed to in 1997.
> It is a cooperative effort of the USDA, state fish and wildlife agencies and
> AFWA. The goal of the US commitment is to make the trapping of wild furbearers
> the most humane it can be, by developing trapping devices that reduce or prevent
> injury altogether.
>
> To begin the BMP process we review all research on particular traps with various
> species. We then conduct field projects using licensed trappers during legal
> trapping seasons and collect animals with the most commonly used traps, and
> traps modified to potentially improve animal welfare. Certified Wildlife
> Veterinarians from major universities examine the animals for trap related injuries after capture. The
> injuries are scored on an international scale that is being used in similar
> research efforts in Canada, Russia, the EU and UK. These standards were developed by the Interantional Organization for Standardization in conjunction with the AVMA. Traps that meet the animal
> welfare criteria are approved. We then publish this information and supply it
> to state and federal agencies to use in their trapper education programs. We
> also work with manufacturers to provide them with ways, based on our research,
> to make traps more humane through developing modified models. We also meet with trap
> researchers from around the world and share the results of
> our research.
>
> My point is simply that people should know that wild caught animals here in the
> U.S. are being trapped and treated as humanely as possible, and lots of good science
> and law enforcement is being put into assuring this.
>
I doubt this will convince people who don’t understand the importance of trapping as a valueable wildlife management tool. But, trapping has been used to capture and relocate species near extintion such as wolves, river otters, fisher, etc., and allow their populations to rebound in many areas. These beautiful animals would not be nearly so abundant today without trapping. Trapping is also used to protect some endangered species (primarily ground nesting birds and sea turtles) from predation during critical nesting periods and to protect some species of waterfowl (during nesting periods) whose populations are not doing well. Trapping is vital to helping maintain the health of over abundant animal populations, public health and public and private property.

BTW- Fur is also a sustainable, renewable, biodegradable and much more environmentally friendly than most synthetic fabrics.
>
> Again, I appreciate your comments.>

Here is my letter I just sent regarding your feeling that there is nothing wrong with fur coats and that PETA is in the wrong to say what it does, I have one thing and one thing only that I would like to address. You claims (falsely) that most animals raised for fur on American fur farms are humanely euthanized, “which actually means good death” in her words. Well even if that were true, which come on now Ms. Hart, you don’t really believe that people that are in the fur business really care about sparing the animals suffering at the end, do you? But let’s just say for the sake of this argument that it is indeed true, the animals are born in captivity, taken from their mothers, forced into tiny cages, given the barest necessity of food to survive, kept out in all kinds of weather with most of the time no shelter, then “given the good death” by being gassed….. here is what I want to know: Would you and I ask this of Ms. Hart as well as anyone who wears fur, (if you were given the choice) rather have a normal life out in “the wild” for as long as was meant, taking your chances with death happening however it would (possibly being killed, eaten, dying of old age, starving etc.) or would you rather have all choice taken away from you and be raised for your skin in horrible conditions and then given the “good death” of being gassed at the ripe old age of 1 year or less…? Are there are questions? I don’t think so!
Lori Soper 200 Centre Ave. Rockland, MA 781-871-4743

Betsy, please do read all of the comments but especially those who object to your shockingly callous view of trapping, ranching and slaughtering animals simply for their beautiful fur.

As a lifelong animal lover and activist, I was deeply saddened to read your column. I desperately cling to the hope that mankind is evolving, becoming more conscious and aware of his surroundings and learning to respect and appreciate all living beings–not just humans—and then I come upon ramblings such as yours and I just shake my head in disbelief.

The more scientists study animals and their behavior, the more amazed they become at the level of intelligence that each creature possesses. Do you ever stop to think that animals want to live their lives, too? Yes, many creatures become prey for other creatures, but nature, though cruel, is a thousand times more humane and ethical than we could ever be.

Ms. Hart, where is it written that we have the right to exploit animals? And please! don’t say the Bible–it’s been changed and rewritten and interpreted so differently and often that even I am not sure of its authenticity anymore. But apart from that, if there is a god and he/she did create the world and all life, I’m sure it pains him/her to see how we–the creation most resembling god–treat the other creation—animals. Most fur is now produced in China, a country that struggles to treat its own human beings with dignity and humanity–can you even imagine how brutal and callous they treat animals? That a so-called “feeling” man could slam a raccoon dog to the ground and then slice its fur from its still moving body is beyond all human comprehension.
It makes me ache inside to think of how these creatures suffer for vain glorious types like you.

I see that you’ve written a book about parenting. Though I’ve not read it (I’ve not even heard of you till now), I can probably bet that teaching children to be kind to animals is conspicuously absent from its pages.

I truly pity you.

Happy to see your article on fur coats. I have an old fur coat that was given to me used, and when it is really cold outside it is the only thing that keeps me warm! I love it for that reason and have always thought that those people who are so opposed to fur coats haven’t considered the fact that Eskimos and people who live where it gets extremely cold, like Siberia, could not possibly survive without fur!! In addition, don’t those same people wear leather shoes and belts? Where do they think they come from?

To comment back to Annie, are you an Eskimo? Then why compare yourself to them? Do you reside in Siberia? Are you aware that those people use the ENTIRE animal, fur, skin, flesh, bones, etc?
As far as animal activists go, NO, we do NOT wear leather shoes, belts, jackets or suede, or wool. And yes, we are quite aware of where those items originate from. It’s so funny that is the only thing you can retort with, and even that is not accurate.
Are you aware there are hundreds if not thousands of vegan friendly stores across the U.S. that sells non leather shoes, belts, purses, coats or any other item for that matter?
In this day and age there are compassionate alternatives to all clothing, food, and items that were once derived from animals..Please do yourself a favor and do a little research.

Maybe you printed this but I looking it and have not seen it; so it is again.

I read your article regarding using animals in ethical, humane way. I rarely respond to articles by talking heads and uninformed people like yourself, however, your column is ludicrous and I just could not resist, as I totally disagree with you.

First, your example about the baby water buffalo being eaten alive by a lion and crocodile at the same time is sad, however, it was eaten by these predators for food. Again, it is sad but their environment is a jungle and it represents the circle of life.

Raising mink for the purpose of killing them to manufacture mink coats for the vanity of people like you is unnecessary and cruel. Don’t print that crap about the securitization by the AVMA. Killing any animal for food, sport or vanity is just wrong. Have you ever been to the “killing floor” of a meat packing plant? As an inspector I’ve seen them electrocuted, shot with a pistol or hit in the head with a mallet. Sometimes the 1st procedure kills them, sometimes it takes more then once. In the meantime the poor animal suffers a horrible death, kind of like the water buffalo.

If you’re your going to talk the talk you need to walk the walk and it’s not pretty sight.

In Viet Nan I killed people because they were trying to kill me. I didn’t like it but I did what I had to do to stay alive, it was also a jungle. I’m sure the baby water buffalo would have fought back if he/she could have.

Several times I’ve had to put a deer down because some coward sitting up in a tree waiting for his prey missed. I know this is over the top, but when I challenge these guys to hunt me if I can hunt them. No one has ever taken me up on that offer.

I hate to see an animal suffer no matter what it is.

It’s only sport if what you are hunting can hunt you back.

Animals are not a commodity. Farmer John can plant another crop and be just fine.

Lose the fur Betsy. Really do your homework and you’ll see these animals are not treated humanely.

Garry Pugh

I agree unanimously with the posters here.

If you still don’t believe them, why don’t you just educate yourself and Google ‘chinese fur trade’. You’ll have more than enough reading matter to give you an informed opinion.

And if that still doesn’t convince you, watch this. (But you’ll need a strong stomach, I can assure you).

(Please copy and paste into your browser.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueBWi8BL0PQ