West Hollywood Inches Closer to Banning Fur Sales
West Hollywood has taken the fur-free reigns and may soon become the first U.S. city to impose a sales ban on fur.
City Council approved a modified version of a ban on the sale of clothing made from the skin or pelt of animals with hair, wool or fur on Monday. The vote marked the third of its kind since May 2011. The decisions have been unanimous until yesterday, where the vote was split 3-1, with one abstention, reports West Hollywood Patch.
The ban does not touch the sale of used clothing privately. Pawn shops and nonprofits like thrift shops will be permitted to sell said products.
Shannon Keith, animal rights attorney and co-organizer of Fur Free West Hollywood, described the immense suffering animals undergo when slain for their coat to KNX, as reported by CBS LA. Keith said, "Animals are skinned alive, they’re beaten, they’re stomped on, they’re gassed… it’s a horrible thing all in the name of vanity.”
A recent economic impact study by WeHo-based Fur Information Council of America (FICA) revealed that out of 209 clothing apparel businesses in the city, 91 sell clothing or accessories made of animal fur. The study results prompted Councilman John Heilman to change his yay to a nay.
WeHo plans to further study the potential impact of the ban, but a final vote could happen as early as November 21. The ordinance will not become effective until 2013.
Previously:
West Hollywood's Ban on Fur Delayed to 'Make Sure It's Airtight'
No Fur in West Hollywood: It's Getting Closer to Official
West Hollywood Set to Ban Sales of Fur
In other humane fashion news, a student from The Art Institute of California-Los Angeles has been named a finalist in The Humane Society of the U.S.'s fashion design contest Cool vs. Cruel. Melissa Hoffman is in.
