"Aren't you a lucky dog" The Vancouver Sun: The Daily Special: Jan 28/06

No, you're not a lucky dog if you are skinned alive for the fur-trim trade. Gala celebrations for the lunar Year of the Dog are being held all over Canada while the unspeakably cruel trade in dog and cat fur expands with no concern shown by our government or the government of China for the anger and ill-will it creates in Canada, not only among animal-lovers, but among most Canadians.

That it is savagely cruel is well documented by organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, and Heather Mills McCartney, among many other very credible organizations.

The European Union is considering banning the trade in dog and cat fur thanks in part to McCartney's efforts. At a recent event in Brussels McCartney broke down in tears at the screening of a video showing cats and dogs being rounded up and their skins being stripped from them live to avoid the cost of humane killing.

The media's spot-light has stopped so many evils. "Happy" media coverage of the celebrations are entertaining, but there is another, not so entertaining story that needs to be told.

Judith Stone
Animal Advocates Society of BC