Expert: Tina Volpe - 11/19/2008

Question
Hello,
I just watched a video posted on the PETA site, I thought it was suppose to be Lindsay Lohan getting floured. But I ended up watching a animal getting skinned alive it was sick.
My question is: is that honestly a regular practice? I mean is that one sick place in the world that should be shut down or does every fur company do it like that?
And if so why, what difference would it make if the animal was dead or alive before they did that?
I don't wear fur,
and I know that it's probably going to be a long time before people realize that wearing fur doesn't make you cool or better.
And unfortunately we know people are still going to skin animals for furs for years to come, but why would they do it before the animal is dead?
What benefit would it have to the fur? Since you'd think they'd have some sort of 'reason' to do it like that.

That's what I don't understand.

But I've also heard that groups like the PETA are quite extreme and it's just as possible that they did that to the animal themselves. Like in a sacrifice the one for the many sort of scheme.

As I'm not very knowledgeable about the PETA group or fur companies I would greatly appreciate some good information on the issue.    
Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely
kmday

Answer
Hi Kmday,

Let me first start by saying that there is a reason there are groups like PETA, Farm Sanctuary, Mercy for Animals, Compassion over Killing - and so many others that dedicate their lives to trying to make things better for the animals.  The reason is because they are needed.  There is so much cruelty in a world that feels that dominating animals is ok, and abuse abounds, that they are 'only' animals, and this is so in domesticated animals (dogs, cats) as well, as I'm sure you hear regularly on the news, etc.

So, in answer to your question, no this is not standard practice in fur traders.  It's very cruel though.  Undercover investigations on fur farms have found that animals are killed by anal electrocution, during which an electrically charged steel rod is inserted into the animals rectum, literally frying his or her insides. Exposed broken bones, upper respiratory infections, and cancerous tumors were among the wounds and diseases that animals endured without veterinary treatment.

Any way you look at it, it's all about profit in the fur business, and the business of raising animals for food, unfortunately.  Not any consideration is given to the living, breathing, feeling animals who endure horrible treatment every day of their lives.  

Go vegetarian - it saves 100 + animals per year.