Dem wants to go ‘fur’ broke

Bid to ban pelt sales

The fur is flying in New York over a proposal to ban the manufacture and sale of animal pelts.

The anti-fur legislation — which would phase in a state fur-sale ban by 2021 — has been introduced by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), an animal-rights activist.

She said fur has become unfashionable because more people oppose the slaughter of furry animals.

“Increasingly, consumers are looking to make ethical and sustainable purchases — fur is neither of those,” Rosenthal said. “The fur trade has at its core a violence toward animals that is antithetical with our modern views on animals as human companions and sentient beings.”

Her Assembly bill memo explains: “Fur farms across the United States raise animals like raccoons, foxes, mink, and chinchillas to kill for their fur, often using cruel and inhumane methods.”

The Humane Society estimates that more than 100 million animals are killed each year for their fur.

San Francisco and Los Angeles have banned fur and major luxury fashion brands such as Coach, Gucci, Armani, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, Versace, Burberry, Coach, Diane Furstenberg and DKNY have gone fur-free, Rosenthal said.

But the bill won’t become a law without a fight from furriers. The Fur Information Council of America has tapped lobbyists TLM Associates and James Capalino Associates as well as p.r. firm SKD Knickerbocker to press the furriers’ case.

There are over 130 fur businesses that operate in the city, employing 1,100 people, according to an economic study conducted for the Fur Council.

“This legislation is following the animal-rights handbook. They want to eliminate all animal use,” said Steve Cowit, co-owner of Cowit Furs & Madison Avenue Furs.

“They’ll be going to go after meat from chicken and cows next,” he added.

Kim Salvo, fur fashion director at Anamoda, said of the ban, “No one would be able to buy fur??!! It’s crazy!”

She called fur products “about as green as it gets. They’re renewable. They last forever.”