(CN-HKG) Anti-Fur Demonstration

[Guest guest]

South China Morning Post

Sunday, February 26, 2006

http://hongkong.scmp.com/hknews/ZZZBCTTH8JE.html

 

Activists stage human zoo to show fur trade cruelty

by DONALD ASPREY

 

Animal rights activists look out from wire cages during yesterday's

protest in Causeway Bay against the mainland fur trade. Picture by

Felix Wong

 

Activists crammed themselves into wire cages in Causeway Bay

yesterday to illustrate the plight of animals in the fur trade.

The action by three members of People for the Ethical Treatment of

Animals coincided with the opening of the Hong Kong International Fur

and Fashion Fair 2006 at the Convention and Exhibition Centre.

 

As part of the protest opposite Sogo in Hennessy Road, the group also

screened footage shot undercover showing the treatment of animals

raised for their fur on the mainland.

 

It showed dogs and cats stuffed into tiny cages, thrown in the back

of trucks, beaten and even skinned alive in the country that leads

the world in producing fur products.

 

" Animals on fur farms are literally dying to get out of their cages, "

said activist Andrew Butler as he crouched uncomfortably in his cage

with two others.

 

" What we are doing is nothing, it's just cosmetic. But the animals

are suffering extreme cruelty. "

 

Mr Butler said there was not a single piece of animal welfare

legislation on the mainland, and Peta had written to President Hu

Jintao offering to help implement humane slaughtering practices

across the country.

 

" We are against the killing of all animals, we believe it is all

unnecessary, " said Mr Butler. " But as well as being idealistic, we

also want to help the billions of animals who are suffering the

worst.

 

" We urge consumers to act with their spending power. Buy Gore-Tex or

Thinsulate if you want warmth, but don't buy fur. "