France: Fur horror for rabbits

New footage from rabbit breeding farms in southwestern France reveals the full horror behind the fur industry for luxury accessories. The French animal rights group L214 recently investigated three different farms, where 50,000 to 60,000 so-called Orylag rabbits are bred per year.

Genetically manipulated rabbits for luxury brands

«Orylag» is a genetically manipulated rabbit breed, created by the French Institute for Agricultural Research. The fur type is a registered French trademark, known for its soft, dense texture. Several «luxury brands» use Orylag, including Dolce and Gabbana.

The animals’ fur is highly sought after by fashion designers for its exceptionally soft feel. A video shows that the keeping conditions amount to pure torment for the rabbits: hundreds of animals are crammed together in small, filthy cages with wire-mesh floors that dig into their paws. To obtain their fur, workers hang the rabbits upside down and slit their throats. Brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, and Dior are among the buyers of this product of cruelty.

The IG Wild beim Wild calls on fashion companies to immediately cease the sale of fur.

Extreme suffering behind bloody trends

«The fur industry tries to hide behind a masquerade of style and glamour,» says Johanna Fuoss, clothing expert at PETA. «Every compassionate person who has seen the extreme suffering behind these bloody trends should banish fur and fur accessories from their wardrobe.»

The new footage from France makes it clear that the fur industry is brutal and cruel worldwide – not just in China. Between 20 and 30 rabbits are killed for a single fur coat. These rodents are social family animals that love vegetables and can live ten to thirteen years in the wild. The industry condemns them to a short life in tiny wire cages. More on the topic animal rights on wildbeimwild.com.